Lucerne 2021 mascot unveiled!

LUCERNE — A mythical creature, yet full of life and fun. The mascot of the Lucerne 2021 Winter Universiade was revealed to the public at the stunning lakefront of this charming city in Central Switzerland. Marking exactly one year to go for the start of the 30th edition of the winter sports spectacle, the revelation of the mascot created quite a flutter in the downtown city harbour. 

The Lucerne 2021 mascot designer Luisa Zürcher (centre)The mascot arrived by boat, dancing to the tune of a traditional ‘Kugel’ band that accompanied it. It was immediately clear that the personality of this mascot is its strongest characteristic, as it danced, played pranks on gathered spectators and generally lifted the mood drastically on a cold weekday morning.

The young artist whose winning design led to the creation of the mascot reiterated that the spunky personality is what she was after.

“I wanted a funny creature,” said 23-year-old Luisa Zürcher, an animation student at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. “I was also really inspired by the Fasnacht.” 

The Luzerner Fasnacht is the largest annual event of Lucerne and of Central Switzerland, a carnival where people turn out in costumes accompanied by music, dance and merriment. Zürcher said she was also inspired by the mythical mountain creature Yeti, as well as various myths and legends of the mountains of Central Switzerland. 

The Lucerne 2021 mascot has quite a personality, but does not yet have a name. In fact, a contest for the naming of the mascot was also announced today. 

The people of Lucerne and from all over Switzerland can submit a name proposal. Entries can be sent on the 30th Winter Universiade’s official social media channels until 23 January 2020.

The ‘christening’ will take place on 29 January, as part of the Youth and Junior Biathlon World Championships Lenzerheide.  

The energetic and sporting nature of the mascot will help ensure that visitors to the 2021 Winter Universiade feel at home in accordance with the motto “Welcome Home”. And over the next twelve months, the mythical creature who will soon have a name, will put a smile on many faces that visit Lucerne. 

The Lucerne 2021 Winter Universiade will take place from 21-31 January 2021. It will be the last FISU Universiade, as the name of the largest global multi-sport event for university athletes will officially change to World University Games after that.