Sechseläuten

Be Young Have Fun - Go Burn a Böögg

Böögg goes thru city

Because of the shorter days in Winter the work day went until 5:00.  Since the 16th Century the work day would end at 6:00 after the spring equinox.  Sechselauten means the 6 o'clock ringing of the bells, this also determines the beginning of Spring.

Sechselauten Crowd

Members of Guilds dress up in costume and parade through the city on their way to the Böögg. All spectators have a great time giving flowers to the Guilds as well as the Guilds giving candy and other goodies to the crowd.

Böögg gets burned

The long standing tradition is what’s known as the burning of Böögg (which could mean Bogey man).   The Böögg head is filled with fireworks and then it is burned at six o'clock, depending on how long it takes to burn and the head to explode determines how long or short the winter or summer will be.  The longer it takes to burn the longer the winter will be.

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