Switzerland is considered to be one of the most festive countries in the world - the Swiss are literally celebrating all the year round. The culture of this country is notable for its diversity of languages, religions and customs, and travel Switzerland and taking part in its national festivals you will both have fun and greatly enrich your outlook.
Besides the traditional holidays like Christmas and Easter there are many other festive days reflecting the rich history and culture of the country. For example the Sechseläuten festival which is celebrated on the third Sunday and Monday in April. People admire colorful processions and burn an effigy called Böögg.
In the middle or the end of September the Swiss of alpine areas celebrate the descent of the cows from their summer pastures in the mountains. The animals, as the heroes of the occasion, are decorated with flowers. This holiday is often accompanied by street fairs.
One of most popular attractions all over the world is Carnival. Swiss carnival, held just before or just after the beginning of Lent, is not so profuse as its Rio's confre`re, still it is quite a performance. As the heritage of pagan culture, which had its rigid taboo and a certain code of behavior, carnival had always meant not only festivities but also breakage of rules. Although the way of celebrating has changed through centuries, some traditions are kept until now. People still disguise themselves, put on masks and parade the streets playing musical instruments and enjoying life to the full.
Some holidays as the "Millet Gruel Trip", Escalade or Unspunnen festival, can help to learn the history of Switzerland. The "Millet Gruel Trip" commemorates the attempt of Zurich to convince Strasbourg of the alliance. To prove that the distance between the two cities was short, the citizens used... a pot of hot gruel. It was loaded onto a ship in Zurich in the morning and, having sailed down the Limmat and the Rhine, arrives in Strasbourg in the same evening, still hot. The "Millet Gruel Trip" takes place every ten years since 1976.
The Swiss are proud of their history and one the main events for them is National day. At the 1st of August 1291 three Alpine cantoons took the oath of confederation, which became the prerequisite for foundation of Switzerland. The official part of the festivities takes part in Rütli where, seven centuries ago, the representatives of Schwyz, Unterwalden and Uri gathered to make a vow of brotherhood. Nowadays August 1st is marked with fireworks and bonfires which attract many tourists. |