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| Sechseläuten | |
|---|---|
 Böögg in 2012 | |
| Observed by | City of Zurich, Switzerland |
| Date | third Monday in April (with exceptions) |
| 2024 date | 15 April |
| 2025 date | 28 April |
| Frequency | annual |
TheSechseläuten (Zürich German:Sächsilüüte, "The six o'clock ringing of the bells") is a traditional springholiday in theSwiss city ofZürich celebrated in its current form, usually on the 3rd Monday of April, since the early 20th century.
Following the parade of theZünfte (guilds), the climax of the holiday is the burning of Winter ineffigy, in the form of theBöögg, a figure of asnowman prepared with explosives.[1] The custom of burning arag doll calledBöögg predates theSechseläuten. ABöögg (cognate tobogey) was originally a masked character doing mischief and frightening children during thecarnival season. The neighborhood associationZum Kratz has burned aBöögg each year, but originally the effigy represented some yearly disaster such as theinfluenza.[1] The burning was also partially a protest against the demolition of the neighborhoodZum Kratz, which was accomplished around 1890.[1] In 1892 the guilds then received the responsibility of burning the effigy, but now it no longer represented some disaster, but rather the winter itself, which is why the doll nowadays resembles asnowman.[1] The combination of the Sechseläuten parade and the burning of an officialBöögg was introduced in 1902. In that same year, the location of burning the Böögg was moved from the left to the right shore ofLake Zurich.[1] The square where the Böögg was burnt was called Tonhalleplatz until 1947, when it was renamed into Sechseläuten Square.[1]
Popular tradition has it that the time between the lighting of the pyre and the explosion of theBöögg's head is indicative of the coming summer: a quick explosion promises a warm, sunny summer, a drawn-out burning indicates a cold and rainy one. The shortest time on record is 5:07 minutes in 1974 and the longest is 57:00 minutes in 2023.[2]
The roots of the festival go back to medieval times when the first day of summer working hours was celebrated in the guildhalls across the city. City ordinances strictly regulated the length of the working day in that era. During the winter semester the workday in all workshops lasted as long as there was daylight, but during the summer semester (i.e. starting on Monday followingvernal equinox) the law proclaimed that work must cease when the church bells tolled at six o'clock. Sechseläuten is a Swiss German word that literally translates into "The six o'clock ringing of the bells". Changing to summer working hours traditionally was a joyous occasion because it marked the beginning of the season where people had some non-working daylight hours. But initially the guilds were only responsible for organizing a parade, and not for burning theBöögg.[1]
Burnings ofBöögg figures (the Swiss German term for "bogey", in origin scary-looking ragdolls) in spring are attested in various places of the city from the late 18th and early 19th century, without direct connection to the Sechseläuten.
From 1902 until 1951[citation needed], the holiday used to be held on the first Monday followingvernal equinox. On that day, theFraumünster bell, for the first time in the year, tolled to mark the end of working hours at 6 p.m. (historically the time of sunset onvernal equinox). The holiday was moved to the third Monday of April in 1952. Because of the later date, and because ofsummer time introduced in 1981, the lighting of theBöögg's pyre at 6 p.m. has now moved to several hours before nightfall. Additionally, because of its present date, the holiday is often within a week of 1 May, leading to a stark contrast between the upper class dominatedSechseläuten and the working class holiday ofMay Day. This proximity of the major festivals of two political poles of the society of Zürich has led to various interferences in the past, for example the abduction of theBöögg in 2006 by leftist "revolutionaries" a few days before theSechseläuten. Since then, severalBööggs are held in reserve with the main one stored at a bank nearby theSechseläutenplatz (the open area in front of the Opernhaus near Bellevue where most Zürich open air activities take place). Since 2010 the guilds of Zürichallow the women ofGesellschaft zu Fraumünster to practice Sechseläuten, usually just being guests of the guilds respectively theConstaffel society, but still not being as anofficial guild in Zürich.
In 2020 and 2021 the Sechseläuten parade was cancelled owing toCOVID-19 pandemic; 2020 was the first time in almost 100 years that it had not taken place. It returned as normal on 25 April 2022.
In 2023, the whole executive council of Schwyz took part in the festivities.[3] The Federal CouncilorsViola Amherd,Elisabeth Baume-Schneider and the Presidents of theNational Council and theCouncil of StatesMartin Candinas andBrigitte Häberli-Koller were also present.[3]
In 1921, theBöögg was burned early by a student instigated by communists.[1] A replacement was found quickly though and the effigy could be burned again and as mandated.[1]
In 1923, it has rained too much, and theBöögg didn't burn.[1]
In 1941 during World War II, noBöögg was burned as the field was used to plant corn.[1]
In 1942 it was again possible to burn theBöögg, but the field was not allowed to be stepped on as the field was used to plant potatoes.[1]
In 1943 the field was used to plant wheat, therefore the location of burning the Böögg was moved onto the dam in the port inEnge.[1]
In 1944 theBöögg was burned again in the port of Enge, but this time the Böögg fell into Lake Zurich as the construction was not stable enough.[1] Some people then pulled the effigy out of the lake and at least threw his head into the fire.[1]
In 2007, the explosion of theBöögg's head took place 12:09 minutes after the pyre was lit, promising a medium warm summer.
In 2008, heavy rains soaked theBöögg and the wood pyre materials so much that firemen had to spray the pyre withkerosene orfuel oil after initial ignitionin addition to 15 liters of fire accelerant which was initially thrown on the pyre. It took 26:01 minutes for theBööggs head to explode which indicates a poor weather summer. The fact that the head, instead of traditionally exploding, burnt down very quietly caused a lot of confusion. After approximately 20 minutes the head had burnt away completely, but leaving a large piece of the neck hanging from the stake. It was the explosion of that piece that ended this year's event.
In 2012, it took 12 minutes and 07 seconds, and in this year there was some confusion if both firecrackers in the neck of the Böögg had exploded. It was determined that 12 min 07 secs was the mark.
In 2014, the head exploded quite quickly (7 Minutes and 23 seconds) but it ended up being a poor summer.
In 2015, the head exploded quite quickly and it ended up being a very good summer.
In 2016, the head exploded after 43 minutes and 34 seconds, setting a new record,[4] which held until 2023.
In 2017, the head exploded after 9 minutes and 56 seconds. A quick time and there was a good summer
In 2020, Sechseläuten was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, the head exploded after 12 minutes and 57 seconds.[5] Sechseläuten was again cancelled but theBöögg was still burned. To avoid crowds that could spread COVID-19 theBöögg was relocated toSchöllenen Gorge in thecanton of Uri and burned outside Zurich for the first time in its history.[6]
In 2023 the head exploded in 57 minutes exactly, setting a new record.[3] This year theBöögg also bore ahalberd in memory ofCanton Schwyz which was the guest.[3]
In 2024 the burning of theBöögg was canceled due to high winds, although the parade and celebration took place.
In 2025 the head exploded in 26 minutes and 30 seconds.[7]
Additional events of the holiday nowadays also include:
During this festival the popularmarch known as the Sechseläutenmarsch is played. It has no known composer but likely originated inRussia.[8]
.JPG)
With a few exceptions, the date is fixed to the third Monday in April.
Dates are:
For the first time in its history, the burning of the Böögg will not take place in Zurich on April 19, 2021. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, in order to prevent crowds gathering, it will be burned on the Devil's Bridge in the Schöllenen Gorge, in Canton Uri.
Media related toSechseläuten at Wikimedia Commons
47°21′58″N8°32′45″E / 47.3661°N 8.5459°E /47.3661; 8.5459
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