FAQ status 26 june 2021
Questions and answers all around our concerts and events during the summer 2021

The FOPH's rules of hygiene and conduct, as well as the protection plan of Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy, apply to all events. The precautionary plan is constantly updated in accordance with the latest developments. We therefore invite you to check our website gstaadmenuhinfestival.ch for the latest status of the protection plan just before coming to the concert.

The Pop-up Festival organised in the summer of 2020 showed us how much could be achieved in a short period of time and gave us valuable experience in the safe management of events.
The safety of all participants is our top priority. For this reason, the protection plan may have to be altered even at short notice. We therefore invite you to check our website for the latest status of the precautionary measures in force just before you go to the event you wish to attend.

Yes, the rule for all venues is that there is one free seat between each spectator or group of spectators. The maximum group size (e.g. families) is 10 people.
The maximum capacities have been reduced at all venues. You will find the exact figures in the following questions.

The maximum capacity of the church in Saanen was set to 300 spectators, which corresponds to about 40% of its usual capacity (750 spectators).

The maximum capacity of the Gstaad Festival Tent has been set to 600 spectators for the concerts held on 18 July, 24 July, 29 July, 4 August, 8 August, 10 August and 15 August, which corresponds to one third of the usual capacity (1800 spectators).

For the concerts held on 13 August, 14 August, 20 August, 21 August, 28 August, 3 September and 4 September, the maximum capacity has been set to 900 spectators, which corresponds to about 50% of the usual capacity of 1800 spectators.

Please also refer to the icons indicating the maximum capacity of each venue published in the printed version of the Festival programme.

Château-d'Œx Church: 140 / usual capacity: 340
Gstaad Chapel: 60 / usual capacity: 130
Gsteig Church: 110 / usual capacity: 250
Lauenen Church: 120 / usual capacity: 240
Rougemont Church: 130 / Usual capacity: 310
Vers-l'Eglise Church: 100 / usual capacity: 220
Zweisimmen Church: 170 / usual capacity: 340

Please also note the icons with the respective maximum capacity of each venue published in the printed version of the Festival programme.

Yes, some concerts are being doubled, to give as many people as possible the chance to enjoy them.
For details, please refer to the Festival programme.

No. In order to protect all the participants, we have ruled that under no circumstances will we exceed the reduced spectator capacity that we have set ourselves. We will not go back on this decision, even at a later date. However, we reserve the right to make further reductions should the authorities impose new measures.

We are dependent on the decisions of the authorities. If the authorities were to order further restrictions, we would be forced to implement them by further reducing capacity.

No, this is strictly forbidden. Seats (resp. seats in the church pews) that are left free between people (resp. groups of people) must remain unoccupied. Changing places at your own initiative is not allowed.

"According to the current plan, access is as follows:

- Saanen Church: 30 minutes before the start of the concert
- Other churches: 30 minutes before the start of the concert
- Gstaad Festival Tent: 30 minutes before the start of the concert

Masks must be worn at all events. Outside, this applies in particular when entering and leaving the concert venue. A minimum distance of 1.5 metres must be maintained."

Please comply with the signalisation at all venues. In order to ensure the smoothest possible access and to avoid crowding, specific entrances have been allocated for each seat in the Saanen Church and in the Gstaad Festival Tent.
The Gstaad Festival Tent has been organised into sectors with a maximum of 300 spectators each. The spectators will be directed to the different entrances at the reception area in front of the tent.

No, as of 28 June 2021, in agreement with the authorities, Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy no longer collects personal data for contact tracing purposes.

No, in the event of a positive test, you do not need to contact the organiser. 

Yes, it is mandatory to wear a mask at all events.

Yes, we ask you to come with your own mask, in order to be able to apply the regulations at all event locations.

It is mandatory to wear a mask at all times inside the event venue. Outside, this obligation applies where the minimum distance of 1.5 metres cannot be respected. This applies in particular when entering and leaving the concert venue.The area where the wearing of a mask is mandatory is signposted at each venue. According to the FOPH, it is recommended to wear a mask as soon as you enter the public space. You can find more information on the FOPH's recommendations here.

We follow the recommendations and conditions laid down by the FOPH. You can find more information here.

No, only people who can prove that for special reasons they cannot wear a mask are exempted. A certificate from a professional (doctor) is required in case of medical exemption.
Children under 12 years of age are exempt from wearing a mask.
Performers are allowed not to wear masks during their performance.

No. As long as none of the events of the Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy 2021 exceeds the limit of 1000 spectators, we will not check whether you have been vaccinated, tested or have recovered. This is based on the Covid-19 regulation of 23 June 2021.

No. As long as none of the events of the Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy 2021 exceeds the limit of 1000 spectators, we will not check whether you have been vaccinated, tested or have recovered. This is based on the Covid-19 regulation of 23 June 2021.

Tickets for our concerts can be purchased on our website gstaadmenuhinfestival.ch, in writing or by phone (+41 33 748 81 82), as well as on kulturticket.ch. Tickets purchased via kulturticket.ch can be printed directly (print@home).
Unfortunately, it is not possible to pick up ordered tickets at the evening box office this year.

Yes, tickets for our concerts can be purchased at various offices. You can find information on our website gstaadmenuhinfestival.ch, on kulturticket.ch and at the Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus sales office (tel. +41 33 748 81 82).

We strongly encourage you to buy your tickets at least a few days before the concert on our website gstaadmenuhinfestival.ch or at our sales office (tel. +41 33 748 81 82).
In order to avoid crowds, the evening box office is only open for emergencies between one and one and a half hours before the concerts.

If you lose your tickets, please contact our sales office – by telephone on +41 33 748 81 82 or write to: email.

Should an event have to be cancelled due to a decision by the authorities, the ticket price will be refunded (minus expenses).

Should participation in an event be rendered impossible by measures taken by the authorities in connection with Covid-19, the ticket price will be refunded (minus expenses).

If you have symptoms of Covid-19, you are unfortunately not allowed to take part in events at Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy. We invite you to check the FOPH's recommendations on this matter.

Should participation in an event be rendered impossible by measures taken by the authorities in connection with Covid-19, the ticket price will be refunded (minus expenses).

Yes, an evening programme with all the information about the concerts is available at every event.
Alternatively, you can browse the programme electronically on our website gstaadmenuhinfestival.ch.
Or, even better, as of this year, you have the possibility of listening to the programme as an audio podcast for a number of concerts. An ideal medium to take with you on your way to the concert.

Only the symphony concerts in the Gstaad Festival Tent will take place with an intermission (August 13, August 14, August 20, August 21, August 28, September 3 and September 4).
All other concerts are performed without intermission.

Only the symphony concerts in the Gstaad Festival Tent will take place with an intermission (August 13, August 14, August 20, August 21, August 28, September 3 and September 4).
We ask you to remain in your seats during the interval to avoid crowding.
Of course, it is allowed to use the toilets during the interval.

No. In order to comply with hygiene measures as closely as possible and to avoid crowding, we have decided not to set up a catering service before, during or after the concerts for the entire duration of the 2021 edition.

Yes, due to the statutory disinfection of the concert seats, we have had to dispense with the provision and distribution of cushions this year. You are therefore allowed to bring your own cushion.

No. This year there will be no supervised cloakroom. In the Gstaad Festival Tent, there will be several (unmanned) coat racks available for your use.

Yes, all public concerts of the Gstaad Academy (final concerts and Academy concerts) can be booked free of charge via the ticket office. We kindly ask you to book your ticket well in advance.