Zurich’s “Six o’clock bells” ring in spring

Riders play ring-around-the-snowman (ST/swiss-image) swissinfo.ch

Switzerland’s financial capital ground to a halt on Monday for the city’s traditional spring festival, “Sechseläuten”.

The annual pageant reached a climax at exactly 6pm, when tens of thousands of people watched and waited in anticipation for the head of a giant snowman to explode.

Standing atop a pyre, the three-metre high effigy of a snowman known as the Böögg was set alight at the stroke of six.

To the delight of the large crowd, it only took around 11 minutes for the fireworks inside the Böögg’s head to ignite and explode – a sign that Switzerland will enjoy a long and sunny summer.

The crowd applauded, cheered and continued to celebrate an age-old tradition that recalls the days when the once-powerful guilds ruled the city.

The procession through the streets of the old town began at 3pm, with marching bands, horse-drawn carriages, and thousands of guildsmen dressed in colourful costumes and uniforms.

Butchers and bakers

The blacksmiths carry hammers over their shoulders; the bakers hurl sweets into the crowds, while the butchers throw sausages.

Although most guildsmen are no longer active in the trades or crafts represented by the guilds, they are keeping alive a tradition that is centuries old.

“Sechseläuten” in its current form began shortly after 1866, the year Zurich’s guilds lost the last remnants of their political power.

Craftsmen

The festival got its name from an ancient law regulating the working hours of the city’s craftsmen. In the winter months, they put down their tools at 5pm because of the short days.

But when the days lengthened in spring, they had to work an hour longer and relied on the ringing of the six o’clock bells to know when to stop.

The Lord Mayor of London and senior officers from Britain’s Household Cavalry Regiment were honorary guests this year – the first time a foreign contingent was invited to take part in the parade.

This year’s guest canton was Graubünden, with representatives using the occasion to highlight their own traditions and promote tourist attractions in the south-eastern region.

swissinfo, Dale Bechtel in Zurich

Key facts

Sechseläuten in its current form dates back to 1867.
It is a procession of Zurich’s guilds, marking the arrival of spring.
The festival culminates with the burning of an effigy of an oversized snowman.
For the first time, a foreign contingent led by the Lord Mayor of London was invited as honorary guest.