Swiss Folk Dance in Canada—How We Began

It was the early ’80s. Many young Swiss immigrants were flocking to Canada, drawn by the wide-open spaces and opportunity to perfect their English. Alberta was a popular choice because of the mountains that reminded them of the Alps back home. The Swiss immigrants in Calgary were excited to call Canada their new home, yet they wanted to keep their Swiss culture alive.

In 1976, a group of Swiss men in Calgary formed a yodel group called Yodel Club Heimattreu. Their wives wanted to celebrate Swiss culture too, and they also wanted a night out without the kids.

So, in November 1981 the women formed their own group—the Swiss Folk Dance Club Alpenrösli. On Wednesday nights, the men yodelled, and the women watched the kids. On Monday nights, the ladies danced, and the men watched the kids. And so, the Swiss Folk Dance Club was born.

Helga Wagner and Li Zahnd had the original idea for the club. Soon, they were joined by more members: Maya Ackermann, Margot Bigler, Edith Furber, Käthi Gyger, Maria Krohmer, Rösli Rutzer, and Marianne Spielmann.

In the beginning, the group danced to records and live music by Heidi Arikan (accordion), Nägi Nigg (Schwyzerörgeli—Swiss accordion), and, for performances, Benno Nigg (piano and upright bass). The music and choreography were bought in Switzerland and members took turns learning the dances and teaching them to the group. Over the years, Alpenrösli has gained and lost members, but its vision has stayed the same: to celebrate and preserve Swiss cultural heritage in Canada.