Sechseläuten

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Keystone

Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey was guest of honour in 2007. Participants in the parade are traditionally given spring flowers. (Keystone) Keystone

A member of the tailors' guild. (Keystone) Keystone

Marching bands provide a musical backdrop to the festivities. (Keystone) Keystone

Around 3,500 guild members turn out in their traditional costumes. (Keystone) Keystone

The parade is also a major event for many children. (Keystone) Keystone

At six o'clock the Böögg is set on fire and winter is symbolically over. (Keystone) Keystone

Tradition says the faster the snowman loses his head, the better summer will be. In 2007, it took 12 minutes and nine seconds for the Böögg's head - loaded with fireworks - to blow up, signifying a "moderate" summer. (Reuters) Reuters

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Zurich's traditional spring festival.

Each year, thousands of spectators crowd into the centre of Zurich to take part in the Sechseläuten (six bells) festivities and watch the parade of the city’s 26 guilds, which date back to the Middle Ages. The highlight of the spring festival, which always takes place on a Monday in April, is the burning of the Böögg, a snowman symbolising winter. (Pictures: Keystone and Reuters, 2007)