Sechseläuten, Böögg and guilds

Sechseläuten is the best-known spring festival in Zurich. It takes place in April, usually on the third Monday. In the past, on this day the bell rang at 6 p.m. for the first time as a sign of the end of the working day in summer. That is where the name comes from (Sechs = six, läuten = ring).

The guilds play an important role. Sechseläuten is a festival of the guilds. Guilds used to be associations of craftspeople, for example bakers or blacksmiths. They organised their trades and trained young people. In the city of Zurich they also used to have political power. Today they are traditional associations. At Sechseläuten they parade through the city in historical costumes.

At 6 p.m. the guilds set fire to the Böögg on the Sechseläutenplatz. The Böögg is a large figure made of wood and cotton wool that looks like a snowman. There are firecrackers in its head. It stands for winter. After it is lit, people wait until its head explodes. Tradition says: the faster the Böögg loses its head, the nicer the coming summer will be.

Memory aid: Böögg's head falls quickly = summer will be nice.