Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/05/20

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Subject: [Leica] Nathan's PAW 20: Swiss peasant wrestling
From: Nathan Wajsman <wajsman@webshuttle.ch>
Date: Mon, 20 May 2002 20:16:42 +0200

Despite the fact that Switzerland is an advanced urban society, living
well off its financial marketplace, most Swiss have a strong attachment
to the country's rural roots. In the old days, when most villages were
cut off from the outside world for several months of the year, people
had to find ways to amuse themselves. One of those ways was a form of
wrestling called "schwingen", which is still kept alive through clubs
which stage competitions in the spring. Last week I went to check out
one of such events with my new M7.

First, a few images of the sport itself. The wrestling takes place on
three rings simultaneously, and as is apparent from the pictures,
participating in this involves getting down and dirty in the sawdust:

http://www.wajsman.com/2002_20.jpg
http://www.wajsman.com/2002_20alt1.jpg
http://www.wajsman.com/2002_20alt2.jpg

After each bout, the wrestlers wash up a bit, using facilities which
reflect the event's rustic roots:

http://www.wajsman.com/2002_20alt3.jpg

(all of the above pictures with M7, 90mm Apo Summicron on Fuji Provia
100F)

This is not an event at which people arrive in Porsches:

http://www.wajsman.com/2002_20alt4.jpg

As usual at gatherings in the German-speaking part of Switzerland,
sausages and beer are a major part of the event for everyone:

http://www.wajsman.com/2002_20alt5.jpg
http://www.wajsman.com/2002_20alt6.jpg

(alternates 4-6 taken with Leica M7 and 35mm Summilux on Kodachrome 64)

The PAW index is at:

http://www.wajsman.com/indexpaw2002.htm

and comments and critique are always welcome and appreciated.

Nathan

- --
Nathan Wajsman
Herrliberg (ZH), Switzerland

e-mail: wajsman@webshuttle.ch
mobile: +41 78 732 1430

Photo-A-Week: http://www.wajsman.com/indexpaw2002.htm
General photo site: http://www.wajsman.com/index.htm


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Replies: Reply from "Michael Abbott" <lists@mabot.com> (Re: [Leica] Nathan's PAW 20: Swiss peasant wrestling)