Swiss Garrison and Helvetic Base
The Swiss Garrison and the Helvetic Base are the Swiss branches of the 501st Legion (501st.com) and the Rebel Legion (rebellegion.com), global fan clubs dedicated to the Star Wars universe. While the 501st Legion embodies the dark side of the Empire, the Rebel Legion brings the heroes of the Rebellion to life.
These groups do more than simply recreate the saga’s legendary characters: their mission is to offer fans—especially children—unique experiences, bringing the magic of Star Wars into the real world. Charity work is also a core value for both legions, which operate as non-profit organizations.
Un po’ di storia
La Swiss Garrison è stata fondata nel 1998, poco dopo l’uscita delle edizioni speciali della trilogia originale. La Rebel Legion ha seguito nel 2000, ampliando la rappresentanza dell’universo di Star Wars.
It all began with Albin Johnson, founder of the 501st Legion, who appeared at a U.S. cinema wearing a Stormtrooper costume. The audience was thrilled, and thanks to media coverage, the idea of an official cosplay group quickly took off. Today, the 501st Legion counts over 13,000 members, while the Rebel Legion boasts more than 9,000, with branches in nearly every country in the world.
Lucasfilm also relies on the 501st Legion for official events, such as the 2007 Rose Parade and numerous movie premieres. Since 2015, the Swiss Garrison and the Helvetic Base have participated with their own booth at Fantasy Basel, Switzerland’s largest fantasy convention.
Learn more:
🔗 Helvetic Base
🔗 Swiss Garrison