Obwald will be supported by the canton until 2017
The Obwalden cantonal government will continue to support the Obwald Folk Culture Festival financially over the next three years. It has approved a total contribution of CHF 240,000 for the years 2015 to 2017. This is CHF 60,000 less than in the period 2012 to 2014.
The cantonal government has provided financial support for a period of three years since the event was first held. While the sponsoring association received a total of CHF 300,000 from Swisslos funds in the period 2012 to 2014, the amount will now be reduced by a total of CHF 60,000 to CHF 240,000 and a large part will be provided from ordinary funds.
For 2015, the Government Council is approving CHF 100,000 (CHF 70,000 ordinary funds, CHF 30,000 Swisslos) and CHF 70,000 for each of the following years (CHF 50,000 ordinary funds, CHF 20,000 Swisslos). The main reason for the higher contribution next year is the fact that the festival will be facing higher expenditure in 2015 when it is held for the tenth time. In the anniversary year, the musical highlights of the last few years will be presented and, for once, music formations from different cantons and countries will perform, spread over the two weekends from July 2 to 4 and July 9 to 11, 2015.
The Obwald Folk Culture Festival has been held annually since 2006 at the beginning of July in Giswil in the canton of Obwalden. Folk music formations from Obwalden, a guest canton and a guest country perform at the festival. The folk music festival, which takes place in a forest clearing under a tent, showcases Swiss and Obwalden folk music in interplay with European and non-European folk cultures. It is organized by a supporting association, presided over by Daniel Fanger from Sachs. The artistic director is Martin Hess, who grew up in Engelberg and lives in Zurich.
