This Monday was a cantonal holiday here in Zurich – to mark the Sächsilüüte (high german: Sechseläuten) festivities. So, I was lucky enough to have my afternoon lectures cancelled. Despite the rain, me and a few of flatmates headed down to Bellevue, by the lakeside, to see just what it was all about.
The ten metre high burning snowman.
Sächsilüüte has its roots in Pagan tradition and is the ceremonial point in time, where the people of Zurich shoo the Winter away and usher in the Summer. This is achieved by, at the chiming of six o'clock, burning a giant snowman (named Böög), stuffed with firecrackers and small explosives. The quicker the snowman's head explodes and falls from the body, the better the coming Summer is said to be. Makes sense...
It can take anything from 10 minutes to 25 minutes for that to happen. This year it only took 12 minutes and 8 seconds. So, we now know who to thank for the imminent approaching heat wave.
The parade before the burning of the Böög.
Before the ritual burning of the snowman, a parade meandered through the Zurich old town. Unfortunately owing to the poor weather conditions, the parade appeared rather lack-luster and miserable this year. The rain had driven away many would-be spectators and the participants of the parade themselves found their enthusiasm gradually sapping away towards the end. Not the best parade I've seen, but it's nice to have one at all. Especially if it means you get the afternoon off!
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