Apr 18, 2005 22:22
I went to a parade today.
"Zurich's centuries-old Sechselaeuten stems from the tradition of driving out evil winter spirits and welcoming the longer, milder days of spring. On Sechselaeuten-Monday, some 3,500 colourfully-costumed guildsmen, over 350 horsemen, 50 horse-drawn wagons and around 30 bands parade through Zurich to the Sechselaeutenplatz for the burning of the Boegg, a straw effigy atop a 13-metre high bonfire. The procession to the bonfire is a huge spectacle and attracts thousands of spectators. The bonfire is lit at precisely six o'clock in the evening and horsemen then circle the blaze three times to the accompaniment of the Sechselaeuten March. Tradition says that the faster the Boegg burns, the sooner summer will arrive and the longer and sunnier it will be. The date of Sechselaeuten varies but is usually held in April."
Will post pictures when I get them from my friend. My digital camera was faulty (possibly due to me dropping it) so its in getting repaired.