The celebration on 6^th August in and around the Rigi Kulm-Hotel is just one of the highlights of the anniversary week. The events, which are characterised by the anniversary’s tagline “200 years of Rigi Kulm, 1816-2016”, turn back the clock with flair and spark and act as an inspiration for all generations to discover the Queen of all Mountains – maybe for the first time or maybe from a completely new perspective.

More information: www.200jahre-rigikulm.ch (Website in German.)

Light show

After 200 years, the Queen of all Mountains’ crown will be sparkling in the anniversary week, from the 1^st to the 7^th August at twilight in the night lights of the 21^st century.

A theatre tour beginning in Vitznau on the Rigi railways and providing entertainment from dinner at the Kulm Hotel until dessert.

Dive into the world of the Belle Époque. Mr and Mrs Fleming from London spend their honeymoon in Switzerland. Their honeymoon leads them up the Rigi, the Queen of all Mountains. A tumultuous affair, because while Mrs Fleming is dreaming of a luxurious honeymoon, her newly-wedded husband (and enthusiastic member of the Alpine Club) is sold on the idea of packing light and hiking around the sites on Mark Twain’s “A Tramp Abroad”. That is how misunderstandings are bound to occur, getting you laughing and providing the best entertainment.

Premiere: 4^th August 2016 and 25 other showings until the middle of October in the Jugendstil hall in the Rigi Kulm-Hotel.

Details, dates and prices: www.200jahre-rigikulm.ch
(The play is in Swiss German.)

Three events relating to the mountain, the Alps and tourism: stimulating, serious and enjoyable.

Saturday, 3^rd September: Reading as part of the Rigi Literature days.
6:30pm – 7:30pm – Literature at the summit – Bestselling author, Alex Capus, reads an extract of his new novel, “Das Leben ist gut” (English: “Life is good”).
8:30pm – 10:00pm – Between shenanigans and literature – Marcel Gaberthuel talks about his Japanese Games in Schwyz, presented using some examples.

There are two further events around the Rigi Kulm anniversary.
Friday, 16^th September, from 6:00pm – On the literary landscape in Central Switzerland, with focus on the Rigi – lecture from Barbara Piatti – accompanied by musical interludes from Nadja Räss (yodelling) and Markus Flückiger (Swiss accordion)
Friday, 7^th October, from 6:00pm – Mountain scenery and hotels in literature – panel discussion with Iso Camartin, Joseph Bättig, Flavio Steimann;
Moderator: Mevina Puorger. Between the arguments, there will be table music with Elaine Fukunaga (piano), Jonas Vischi (violoncello) and Adrian Häusler (violin)

Return journeys to Vitznau at 8:00pm and 10:40pm respectively.

Entrance fee to all events is CHF 20.00, including an aperitif (box office)

The Rigi is not even 2000m ASL, but is still the “Queen of all Mountains”. How did that happen? Well, tradition ennobles mountains too! So, the Rigi may hold this title with pride. Mountain tourism (which, of course, it was not called back then) was finally discovered here. 200 years ago, the Rigi initially attracted explorers, adventurers, writers and artists.

Summiteers could stay at the first inn on the Rigi Kulm in 1816. It wasn’t long before the beautiful, wealthy people from many countries held court at the Kulm Hotel. More freedom and cheaper travel meant that completely normal world citizens and confederates could discover the Rigi for themselves, too. Since then, the Queen of all Mountains has had many visitors every year. In the “From pimples to selfie sticks – 200 years of Rigi Kulm” exhibition, the guests’ motifs from every age will come to life through their travel accessories. The view of accessories hailing from the last 200 years suggests how the public and public need has changed. The exhibition begins in the newly expanded access tunnel to the Kulm Hotel and continues into the house. A short, but exciting journey through the ages.

(Texts are in German and English.)

Rigi railways commemorates the steam all year round. To mark the Rigi Kulm anniversary, engines 16 and 17 will receive extra layers.

Shiny metal, the smell from the coal fire, the hissing from the steam, crackling sparks, the seamless interplay of the stunning mechanics all make the hearts of steam train enthusiasts jump for joy.

See timetable and book tickets online:
www.200jahre-rigikulm.ch (Website in German.)