class=”sc-29f61514-0 fQbOYE”>
The Grim Reaper has been a graphic representation of death since the Middle Ages. And terrified humanity from time immemorial.
When they say in Switzerland: “The Grim Reaper” is coming, there is no panic. At best, tufts of grass on a green meadow tremble. Because now it’s up to them. Margrit Föhn is coming.
European Champion from Rickenbach
A native of Central Switzerland from Rickenbach, he is a four-time Swiss champion and three-time European champion in the hand-cutting discipline. Mowing with a scythe is a traditional rural craft that, since the industrialization of agriculture, is actually known only from Gottelf’s films “Uli der Knecht” and “Uli der Pächter”. There, former GK player Hannes Schmidhauser wields a scythe and occasionally casts loving glances at his Vreneli.
About thirty years ago, hand mowing experienced a renaissance as a new sport. Since then, competitions have been held in the Bernese Oberland, eastern Switzerland and central Switzerland. And the European Championship has been held for many years.
Austria, South Tyrol, Bavaria, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia send their best men and women there. Also Basques from northern Spain. Basque TV is currently making a film about hand mowing. Last year, the film crew spent three days in central Switzerland to direct Margriet Föhn.
The 45-year-old mother of three has been shaping the sport for many years. It all started on her parents’ farm, at the age of 15 she competed in her first youth competition. Training is when farmers call from the area and say that a juicy green piece of meadow is ready. Then Margrit Föhn leaves. At the European Championships, women need to mow five by seven meters as quickly and cleanly as possible. For men, it is ten by ten meters.
Son mows for the European title
Margriet Föhn perfected this to such an extent that for a long time there was literally no grass against her. She’s a little better now. At the upcoming European Championships in Slovenia on July 30, she will look after her son, who is fighting for the men’s title. Her youngest daughter competed twice among juniors and won twice. This year she is there only as a spectator. The Swiss delegation in Slovenia consists of 45 people.
There are still competitions on July 23 in Herisau, on August 20 in Frutigen and on August 26 the grand final of the Swiss championship in Ingenbohl. When the grasses flew, there will be several hundred spectators.
Not only wrestling, hornussen and stone throwing are experiencing an upsurge in the days of “Switzerland”. Hand mowing as a cultural asset of the Alps is also back in vogue.
Margrit Föhn is the most influential ambassador of Switzerland.
Source: Blick
I am David Miller, a highly experienced news reporter and author for 24 Instant News. I specialize in opinion pieces and have written extensively on current events, politics, social issues, and more. My writing has been featured in major publications such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC News. I strive to be fair-minded while also producing thought-provoking content that encourages readers to engage with the topics I discuss.
