Sechseläuten

Yesterday I took the train to Zurich for the half-day holiday celebration of Sechseläuten symbolizing the end of winter and the beginning of Spring. My friends had scored front row seats for the Sechseläuten Parade which is comprised of guilds, some dating as far back as the 14th century. Once powerful political forces, the guilds are now mostly social groups but their costumes are colorful and the mood is certainly festive. These pictures represent the Zunft zur Wagg including hatters and Zunft Riesbach including winemakers. The horses are drawing a huge ancient wine press. All parade vehicles are horse drawn and decorated with spring flowers.

It seems to be the custom for ladies to award their favorites in the parade with flowers and some of these gents were toting huge bouquets. Children in the parade toss candy for the children on the street and others hand out cookies or glasses of wine. At the end of the parade the Böög, a straw man symbolizing winter, is burned putting an end to winter. Our Swiss friends tell us that this year the Böög was stolen by a leftist political group so it had to be hastily replaced by a new one for the day of the parade. It took 10 minutes and 8 seconds for the fellow’s head (loaded with fireworks) to blow off. This supposedly indicates that it will be awhile before the really hot weather begins here. Somehow I doubt they know what really hot weather is here but I’ll keep you posted.