Somewhere between traditions and customs
The language communities eat different things and have different traditions and customs. Even their shared history only goes back about two centuries. The Swiss themselves are sometimes puzzled about what they have in common apart from their passport, what it is that makes them Swiss. The Swiss say they are held together by the desire to stay united. The general attitude is summed up in the formula "unity, but not uniformity."
The Swiss have always maintained and nurtured their own local customs, and because of this, Switzerland is a country with an enormous wealth of cultural activity and living tradition.
Oktoberfest, it means “October party” in German. It is a beer festival taking place in Munich, Germany but it also takes place in a lot of cities nowadays and particularly in cities located in the German part of Switzerland (i.e Olten has its own Oktoberfest). For those who don’t know the purpose of this festival it is more or less having fun and drink beer. In order to preserve the family character of the festival, a carnival and eating places are installed around different tents. The Oktoberfest is the biggest fair in the world. There are historical attractions but also very modern. Beer is served in liter. Under the tents, bands are performing songs and traditional Bavarian music. Generally the public, standing on benches, chorus repeats all the songs.
Basler Herbstmesse (Basel Autumn Fair) is the largest and oldest amusement fair in Switzerland that is taking place from the end of October to mid-November. The Basel Autumn Fair is more than just the usual funfair or amusement park. With its tradition stretching back over 540 years and its special customs, it really is a part of the city’s living heritage. This traditional inner-city fair, also radiates far into the three-country region and attracts around a million people to Basel from home and abroad. The charm of this public festival surely emanates from the extremely high appreciation the Basel population bestow on it.
Rendez-vous Bundesplatz. The city of Bern organize each year a wonderful sound and light multi sensory show that lasts 30 minutes on the Federal Palace (Bundesplatz). This year, the unique sound and light show from Starlight Events is dedicated to the Swiss Red Cross. Its history, its principles – to mark its 150th anniversary. The red and the white cross are closely interwoven with one another: the Swiss Red Cross belongs to Switzerland. What the Swiss Red Cross embodies and achieves at home and abroad are some of the central values of Switzerland.
The "Zibelemärit" (Onion Market) is a traditional folk festival held on the fourth Monday of every November in Bern. Farmers from the surrounding area bring over 50 tons of onions – artistically woven into braids – to the federal capital, along with garlic. Colorful market stalls offer ceramic pots, vegetables, traditional market goodies and mementos. To help resist the winter cold, don't miss the Glühwein stand with its hot mulled wine. The bustle gets underway at 5:00 a.m. as hundreds of visitors from home and abroad flood the city. This is the day when savory cheese tarts, onion tarts and onion soup are on offer in all the restaurants, filling the air with a heady aroma. Younger visitors scatter confetti in the streets and have fun at the fairground.
A lot of Christmas markets are organized as well in big cities as smaller one. Christmas markets are always a good idea to drink glühwein (warm wine), to eat delicious crepes and waffles while enjoying Christmas's magic. Don't miss the Zurich Christmas market, it's my favorite one. Whether the city's oldest Christmas market in the picturesque Niederdorf quarter or next to the glittering 50ft tall Christmas tree at the Christkindlimarkt at the Main Train Station or ice skate on the Opernhaus skating rinks – the choice is yours. The atmosphere is really nice great especially at nightfall where you can walk in the illuminated streets and have a drink in one of the numerous chalets.
Carnival take place in most of the big cities but the biggest one in Switzerland is in Basel. With the ESN Olten I went to Basler Fasnacht (the Carnival of Basel). Fasnacht lasts exactly three days, starting on Monday morning at exactly 4.00 a.m and continuing until exactly 4.00 a.m. on the following Thursday morning. Fasnacht always takes place in the week after Ash Wednesday, and most of the action is concentrated in the city centre. Tens of thousands of people attend this big event every year. A lot of people are disguise and are parading in the streets with drums meanwhile others are throwing confetti everywhere.
About food you should try at least a fondue or a raclette diner with Swiss people. For sure you'll have a good time !
OTHER EVENTS
Zurich Film Festival - A touch of Hollywood
Locarno Film Festival - For film fans
Lucerne Carnival - Two weeks of revelry
Street Parade - Dancing in the city
Montreux Jazz Festival
Sechseläuten - Ringing in the spring
Swiss Indoors Basel - Tennis top tournament
Château d'Oex - International Hot Air Balloon Festival
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