Knabenschiessen in Switzerland ― Date, History, and Details

Knabenschiessen in Switzerland

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History of Knabenschiessen in Switzerland and How to Celebrate/ Observe It

The Knabenschiessen is an annual marksmanship contest for boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 16 that takes place in Zurich, Switzerland. The contest has been held since 1893 and is one of the largest and most popular events in Zurich. Over 3,000 children participate each year, representing all of Zurich’s schools.

The contest consists of two parts: a long-distance shooting competition and a close-quarters marksmanship test. The long-distance portion is held first, with the children shooting at targets placed 100 meters away. The close-quarters test is then held, with the children shooting at targets placed just 10 meters away. The child who scores the most points in both parts of the contest is declared the winner.

In addition to the marksmanship competition, the Knabenschiessen also features a number of other attractions, including carnival rides, food stalls, and live music. The event is a major draw for tourists and locals alike, and is one of the highlights of Zurich’s calendar.