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editorial

let’s Yodel - it might be more
international than you think

Long ago with a colleague many of you know - David
Winch, editor, journalist and former president of the
UN Society of Writers - I prepared a magazine for UN
colleagues about communication through different
languages. We called the editorial ‘Let’s talk’, and through
the 60-pages issue we explored the importance of all six
UN languages. Then we attempted to propose something
in a universal language, but Esperanto, created for this
purpose, never really caught on and it seems to be only
English that is universally understood.
among Kurdish people, krimanchuli is a polyphonic
However, we wanted more: we wanted to come up technique used in Georgia, klodzid in Albania, hăulit
with something that could be performed together and “horea cu noduri” in Romania. Yodel technique is
and unite people: a poem, song or anthem, and to also evident among Scottish and Irish people, the Turkic
launch a competition to collect ideas. Could we find Sakha people in Siberia, the Inuit of Greenland and the
something really universal, to unite beyond words, to Saami of Scandinavia. It is also known in Central Africa,
unite by emotion and fellow-feeling? There are methods notably Zimbabwe, or with the Mbuti people in Congo.
of dialogue and diplomacy beyond negotiation and Besides the country-type yodel in the US and Canada,
mediation, and we described those on our pages: arts, ka leo ki`eki`e falsetto and breaks between registers are
music, sports and dance, for example. Food diplomacy used in Hawaiin and Mexican music. The technique is
can be a powerful uniting force, and joining together in also found in Japan, the Polynesian Islands, the Solomon
song has a wonderful unifying impact. Islands and Madagascar. In short, it is found on every
continent, among many countries and peoples.
We and our colleagues have sung together in various
ensembles, but there are always limitations: it has to be in So perhaps a wordless yodel could be that unifying song,
a common or group language, or one well known to all. combining all cultures, all genres, all people? Admittedly,
There are of course, vocalises, singing without words, and it is hard to imagine a group of Ambassadors yodelling
the emotional impact of doing this together is powerful. in unification at Victoria Hall (but do not smile as of
Then in December 2025 came a great announcement – yet!) It might be worth remembering that opera singers
the Swiss yodel was voted to be included in the UNESCO increasingly use this technique to yodel Mozart and
intangible heritage list. Of course, you all have heard Händel in evening dress or black tie, and there are yodel
the Swiss yodel, and as I love all Swiss traditions, this masses for important gatherings.
UNESCO decision motivated me to study the yodel’s
historical roots and its techniques, and even to join So, someone might propose a united yodel as an opening
the Association Romande des Yodleurs (ARY), which of an annual Victoria Hall concert too - why not?
is a section of the Swiss Federal Yodelers Association, Switzerland has been the generous host for international
to perform during important events in Geneva and in endeavours for so long, it would be a gesture from the
Switzerland. Geneva International diplomatic community to honour it
by using a technique so much loved here and so strongly
The Swiss yodel is not only a way to call mountain associated with this country. It is Swiss, authentic, but
herds, it inspired the greats: Beethoven, Berlioz and also international and unifying.
Rossini all used it in their work. Furthermore, it is a truly
international style: as well as the other Alpine countries, Even if it does not happen tomorrow, someone might
it is used in Scandanavia – in Norway it is called stage such a performance in future. And today I am
Laling, or huving. The same alternating chest-falsetto taking the first step by titling this edito “‘Let’s yodel”
technique is used in Persian classical tahrir, as well as and inviting you to read the article about its history and
Azerbaijan, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Turkey, Armenia, techniques in the magazine.
Afghanistan, other countries of Central Asia, as well as
Pakistan and India. Hoore[h], is an ancient vocal system Evelina Rioukhina

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