Harvest time is coming soon

The 25th anniversary edition of the Waldstock Open Air will take place on the edge of the Steinhauser Forest from Thursday, 31st July to Saturday, 2nd August. Preparations are in full swing.
 

The Waldstock Open Air festival will be celebrated once again this year on the edge of the Steinhausen Forest (Steinhauser Wald). The organisers are thereby inviting everyone to the 25^th anniversary edition from Thursday, 31st July to Saturday, 2nd August. Music lovers, film fans and families have now been meeting at the small festival site in Steinhausen to enjoy three days of culture in the open air for 25 years.

With around eighteen musicians, a diverse film programme, a Jass tournament (Swiss playing cards) and children's entertainment, the largest open-air festival in the canton of Zug will be celebrating its milestone birthday over three days.

Preparations for the anniversary edition has already begun during last year's Waldstock, when Jonas Mehr and Laura Thomann started putting together this year's programme. Particular attention was paid to ensuring that local artists were represented, but also some new international discoveries. The organisation committee (OC) is currently primarily focusing on the set-up. ‘Harvest time is coming soon and we are looking forward to it,’ says OC President Laila Koller.

Laila Koller, who has now been president of the organisation committee for three years, adds: "Waldstock wasn't always the way it is today. It started out as an open-air cinema.‘ But it has become an integral part of the cultural scene in the canton of Zug. The principle: voluntary, homemade, independent. ’Volunteering is a recurring theme – it's our trademark. And we live it with pride," says the native of Steinhausen, who now lives in Zug.

The organisation committee is facing a bit of a challenge in finding volunteers, however. ‘Volunteering is no longer quite in keeping with the spirit of the times, which makes it increasingly difficult to find helpers,’ says Laila Koller. She has noticed that fewer and fewer people are willing to ‘sacrifice’ their days off. But helping hands are needed every year, especially in the catering sector.

There are currently around 500 volunteers ready to lend a hand with the preparations and during the festival. Anyone who would like to become involved can register directly on the Waldstock website: https://www.waldstock.ch/werde-helferin

The Waldstock Open Air begins on 31 July
Laila Koller, OC President and Head of Public Relations    
Local and international bands will be performing at Waldstock
Catering will also be provided at Waldstock. In the picture (from left): the hard-working helpers Remo Reichmuth, Nick Brun and Elia Hausheer                 Archive photos: Stefan Kaiser
 

A struggle for uniqueness
Finding the right balance is also quite difficult. ‘We simply ask ourselves: “How big can we make Waldstock without losing our uniqueness?”’ explains Laila Koller. Nevertheless, advertising on social media and in print media brings new faces to the edge of the Steinhausen Forest every year, and the festival remains unique.

For someone who has never experienced Waldstock, she describes the festival as a musical and cultural experience, where the passion is clearly palpable.

The festival is also remaining true to its roots musically: once again, innovative musicians from the hip-hop and indie pop genres will be represented.
Film lovers will also get their money's worth, as a wide variety of Swiss-produced films will be shown on the festival screen over the three days. ‘We have worked closely with the Zug Film Days to put together a varied programme,’ says Laila Koller.

The festival also has plenty to offer in terms of cuisine. New this year is a ‘Wrapperia’, where visitors can try out their own creations. There will also be a tarte flambée stand on the grounds, serving freshly prepared tarte flambée.

This year's motto for the Steinhauser Open Air is ‘umZug’ (move), which can be interpreted in many ways. ‘It could refer to the canton of Zug, the Zug railway, or an actual move. The various meanings will also be on display at the festival site,’ explains Laila Koller.

For the OC president, who has been running the festival since 2023, it's more than just an event. According to her, it is a project close to her heart. The entire organising committee works on a voluntary basis and is happy to sacrifice a lot of time to create an unforgettable open-air experience for everyone. ‘It is an integral part of our summer, both personally and culturally. We are happy to take the time,’ says Koller.

This integral part of the festival will remain in place in future. According to Laila Koller, the organisers will continue to try to move with the times, but also to remain unique and offer a stage for up-and-coming artists.

The Waldstock programme:

Thursday, 31 July:     Doors open at 4 pm.
                                 Music: Wein im Ohr, Las Baklavas, Aino Salto, Endless Wellness, 
                                      OG Melodiesinfonie
                                 Film: Various short films

Friday, 1 August:        Doors open at 2 pm.
                                     Jass tournament
                                Music: Dominique y los Cuchumatanes, Lost in Lona, Citron Citron,
                                      TC & The Groove Family, Roshâni, Home Counties
                                     Film: ‘Brunaupark’

Saturday, 2 August:   Admission from 12 noon, box office opens at 3 pm.
                                      Children's afternoon;
                                 Music: Lucy and Lucky Loop, Obertonstruktur der Kaulquappe,
                                       Nea Pinna, Konkolo Orchestra, Baby Yaga, Nathalie Froehlich,
                                       Karl Kave & Durian
                                      Film: ‘Der Goalie bin ig’

More information (in German) can be found on the Waldstock website:
https://www.waldstock.ch/