Zurich’s Sechseläuten
Medieval Traditions Continue to Bring Pride to the City
Zurich’s annual Sechseläuten parade
The Zurich guilds celebrate “Sechseläuten” on the third Monday in April, parading through the city in historical costumes. Sechseläuten is closely connected with the guild system founded in the 14th century. In the 19th century, the guilds lost their political significance, but the tradition continues as Zurich’s most important annual public event and marks the transition from Winter into Spring. At six o'clock in the evening, the "Böögg", a giant snowman made of cloth and wood and filled with fireworks, is set on fire in the Sechseläutenplatz at Bellevue (downtown Zurich). In fact, “Sechseläuten” is a Swiss German word that literally translates into "The six o'clock ringing of the bells".
Groups of riders circle the pyre on horseback to the sounds of brass bands playing the "Sechseläuten March". It’s all about timing and the burning of the Böögg is like a Swiss version of Groundhog Day in America. The less time it takes for the Böögg to lose its explosive-laden head, the warmer the summer should be (according to the superstition). Following this explosive spectacle, guild members and their guests retire to their guildhalls for a festive evening of dining, speeches and other traditions. Afterwards, the guilds send delegations on “attacking visits” to rival guilds for a good natured exchange greetings, witticisms, toasts and gifts.
Tens of thousands of spectators line the street to watch the parade, greeting guild members with fresh flowers as they pass by. While the guild members retire to their evening festivities , an unofficial "barbecue party" kicks off at the Sechseläutenplatz – directly in front of Zurich’s Opera House. Hundreds of Zurich residents grill sausages over embers from the burning wood pile and remnants of the smouldering Böögg. The Sechseläuten event is a long-standing tradition and a great source of local pride which celebrates Zurich’s history and heritage dating back hundreds of years to medieval times.
