The Swiss, whether living in cities or the country, have always practiced their own local customs - providing the country with an enormous wealth of common religious and secular occasions and lively traditions. In many villages, districts and regions these traditions are essential parts of the cultural heritage that are integrated into the daily lives of the communities and passed down from one generation to the next. The photos and texts of this book do not convey the perfect, often well-established, tourist image, but reflect the special specific atmosphere that the authors and photographers have perceived at each location. In talks with the participants the authors shed light on what they do is really about and what it means to the locals.