Sechseläuten

Sechseläuten, also known in the local dialect as Sächsilüüte, is an annual spring festival that occurs in Zurich, Switzerland, every year on the third Monday of April. It is a holiday celebrated with parades, sausage BBQs, and the burning of the Böög. The word Böög was probably used to refer to the bogeyman at some point in time, but now it merely stands for a snowman figure that is burned to drive out winter and herald the beginning of spring.

History of Sechseläuten

Sechseläuten can be traced back to the 16th century. This is when the council of the city, which was composed of members from various guilds in Zurich, decided that work should stop an hour later during the summer months than during the winter months. During the winter months, workers and tradesmen would stop work at 5 pm due to the lack of light. However, during the summer months, they could work an hour later. At that time, a bell would ring at 6 pm, letting the workers know the workday was over.

Eventually, it was decided that on the first Monday after the vernal equinox, a large bell in GrossmĂĽnster should be rung at 6 pm to announce the beginning of spring and new working hours. This was when the beginning of spring was determined for all residents of the city, a tradition that is still practiced today. It was called Sechseläuten, a term which means “the six o’clock bell ringing.” Over time, Sechseläuten would morph into the festival that it is today, with one minor change. In 1952, it was determined that it should be moved to the third Monday in April, or if that day is Easter Monday, then the Monday prior.

The Böögg can be traced back to the bogeyman, a character that was believed to harm children. Long before Sechseläuten was even practiced, children would burn a rag doll to protect themselves from the bogeyman. Over time, it would become the character Böögg, a character that was masked and would frighten children during the carnival season. After Sechseläuten was established, the burning of the Böögg effigy would be incorporated into the ceremony. Today, the Böögg takes the form of a snowman that has explosives in its head.

Sechseläuten Customs & Traditions

Several different events take place during this holiday. Usually, on the Sunday before Sechseläuten, there is a children’s parade called the Kinderumzug. During this parade, the children wear historic costumes or costumes taken from old stories and folk tales. On the day of Sechseläuten, there is usually a parade of the guilds, the burning of the Böögg at exactly 6 pm, a ceremonious encircling of the Böögg on horseback, and plenty of banquets to be attended by everyone.

How the Böögg burns is believed to forecast the weather for the upcoming summer. The faster the snowman’s head explodes, the hotter the summer will be, and usually, it’s pretty accurate. In 2012, it took about 12 minutes and 7 seconds for the head to explode; in 2014, it exploded in 7 minutes and 23 seconds; and in 2016, it exploded after 43 minutes and 34 seconds. The 2016 Böögg burn was the longest it ever took for the head to explode and set a new record.

Where is it celebrated?
Switzerland (Observance) - Zurich
When is it?
This year (2024)
April 15 Monday
Next year (2025)
Last year (2023)
April 17 Monday