Only in Zurich by Duncan J.D. Smith

District 1 Burning the Böögg is the highlight of the Sechseläuten festivities The combination of the Sechseläuten parade and the burning of a Böögg was intro- duced in 1902. Since then it is customary to stuff the Böögg’s head with fireworks, and on- lookers await eagerly the inevi- table explosion. Popular tradi- tion maintains that the length of time between the lighting of the fire and the explosion of the head is indicative of the coming sum- mer: a quick explosion means warm, sunny weather, whereas a long wait signifies a wet and cold summer. The shortest time on record was 5:07 minutes in 1974, and the longest was in 2001 at 26:23 minutes. Between 1902 and 1951 Sechseläuten was held on the first Monday following the ver- nal equinox. On that day the bell in the Church of St. Peter (St.-Peters-Kirche) on St.-Peter-Hofstatt tolled for the first time in the year, marking the change in working hours. From 1952 onwards the date of the celebration moved to the third Monday in April, and because of the introduction of Summer Time in 1981 the lighting of the fire now also occurs later than 6pm. It is interesting to note that Sechseläuten often falls within a week of May 1st, creating a stark contrast between the guild-dominated Sechseläuten and the working class holiday of May Day. This has led to several confrontations including the abduction of the Böögg by Left Wing activists in 2006. Only in Zurich! Another old Zurich custom is Zwänsgerle , which can be witnessed on Rüdenplatz (Rathaus). Loosely translated as “20-cent coin throwing”, this Easter tradition dates back to the 18th century. On Easter Monday morning children gather in the square clutching hard boiled eggs. The adults accompanying them throw 20 cent coins at the eggs in an attempt to make them stick. If they do, the adults can keep their coins. If the coins fall to ground, however, the children can keep them! Other places of interest nearby: 28, 29, 30 91