The recent Swiss Wrestling and Alpine Festival (ESAF) held in Mollis, Switzerland, has concluded with a positive financial result, marking a significant improvement from the previous event in 2022. The festival, which took place from August 29 to 31, attracted over half a million guests and ended with Armon Orlik being crowned the wrestling champion. According to the organizers, the event’s income was sufficient to not only break even but also to compensate the helpers with a higher payment of 25 francs per hour, instead of the budgeted 8 francs.
The organizing committee did not disclose the exact amount of profit, but it is estimated to be substantial, likely exceeding two million francs. This is a significant turnaround from the previous event in Pratteln, which ended with a loss of 3.8 million francs. The success of this year’s event can be attributed to the high attendance and the organizers’ ability to manage the budget effectively, despite having to increase it by several million due to additional requirements imposed by the authorities.
The festival’s helpers, who worked a total of 120,000 volunteer hours, benefited from the additional payment, with 190 organizing committee members and around 9,000 helpers receiving the increased compensation. The event’s budget had to be increased due to various factors, but the organizers were able to manage the finances effectively, resulting in a positive outcome.
The ESAF is a significant event in Switzerland, held every three years, and its success is a testament to the country’s rich cultural heritage and tradition of wrestling and alpine sports. The event’s conclusion with a positive financial result is a welcome relief, especially after the previous event’s significant loss. The organizers’ ability to manage the budget and compensate the helpers fairly has been praised, and the event’s success is expected to have a positive impact on the local community and the sport as a whole. Overall, the ESAF in Mollis has been a resounding success, and its positive financial result is a testament to the organizers’ hard work and dedication.