Halloween ghosts conquer Zurich
What's being billed as the world's biggest Halloween party takes place in Zurich on October 27.
Once an exclusively American festival, Halloween has become so popular in Europe, including Switzerland, that it has spawned “the European Halloween Festival”.
The party is being held in Oerlikon, near Zurich, at the “ABB Areal”. Each of the nine party floors are being given over to different Halloween themes and musical styles- from House to Latin and Salsa.
About 50 tonnes of homegrown pumpkins, scattered around the building, will help lend the right atmosphere to the event.
Basel’s merry-go-round fair
The more traditional Basel Autumn Fair begins on the same day. As has been the case for centuries, the festival opens when the bells of St Martin’s church strike noon.
For two weeks, nearly 400 market stalls will bring the streets of the city on the Rhine alive. The fair also boasts a particularly large selection of merry-go-rounds.
The event was founded in 1471 when the then mayor of the city travelled to the court of the German emperor, Friederich the third, to ask for permission to hold a fair.
The emperor gave it his blessing, and said it should be held each year “for eternity”.
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