It seems Switzerland can never have enough feuds over cowbells and the noise they make; lawsuits over them have appeared here before, and as usual, this one pits rural villagers against incomers with a yen for picture-perfect scenery... and undisturbed sleep.
In the latest case, taking place in Aarwangen, near Bern, the peaceful existence of the picturesque village was disrupted by two newly arrived couples, who lodged a complaint with the municipal authorities against the around-the-clock ringing of cowbells from nearby pastures.
A backlash by local residents led to a referendum to preserve the bell ringing — not just from cows, but also from churches (also a subject of frequent Swiss litigation). About 1,100 people (approximately a third of those eligible to vote) have signed a petition to this effect so far. A local museum organized an exhibit about the bells and the dispute.
"It's about much more than animal bells. It's about the Swiss way of life, what we care for, and how we want to preserve the culture and traditions of our country," Andreas Baumann, president of Aarwangen's pro-bell committee, told SRF public broadcaster.
However, Aarwangen's case may come to an end soon; one of the two couples has withdrawn its complaint and the other has said it plans to move away.
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