This is how Switzerland celebrates Easter

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200 artists, 50 horses and magnificent costumes: The Maundy Thursday procession at Mendrisio TI is the most impressive Easter tradition in Switzerland. Amateur actors reenact the last hours of Jesus of Nazareth, reenacting the stops on the cross: Jesus’ fall, encounter with St. Veronica, death on the cross. Drums and trumpets accompany the poignant scenes, while the city is illuminated with huge, shimmering banners depicting the stages in Jesus’ life. The tradition dates back to the 16th century, when a large part of the population was illiterate. So, how to approximate Passion events to the faithful? With an enormous theatrical and costume show. The people of Ticino spared neither effort nor expense: the impressive robes were purchased in 1898 from the costume shop in La Scala, Milan. Things get more thoughtful on Good Friday, when nearly 700 attendees parade through Mendrisio with lanterns and a statue of the dead Jesus. More information here.

Holy Week ceremonies in Mendrisio will take place on April 6 and 7, 2023 at 8:30 PM.

In the town of Estavayer-le-Lac you can explore the old town in a special way. From April 7 to 10, young and old can join the treasure hunt, which includes ten posts and allows families to explore the medieval streets of Estavayer searching for clues to solve the Easter riddle. The questions are tailored to the youngest guests and the course can be completed in 1.5 to 2 hours. More information on that here.

There is also an ovary competition in Zurich. But in accordance with “Banken-Stadt” everything is cash: in “Zwänzgerle” 20-cent pieces fight hard-boiled eggs and adults fight against children. Adults throw twenties on children’s easter eggs. If the coin is jammed, the coin and egg belong to the adult, if the coin bounces, the child gets 20 cents. Unless this is a creative pocket money loading solution. Should we tip the kids with painted plaster eggs?

On 10 April 2023 at Rüdenplatz. More information on that here.

“You’re not that clean!” cold-hardy participants in the blue egg I would like to call after swimming at Seebadi in Niederuster. When the weather is frigid, swimmers dive into the waters of Greifensee and catch a blue egg from the diving tower 20 meters away. Although blue egg swimming is still relatively young, it has already become a local tradition. The income from the event benefits environmental projects.

At 14:00 on Easter Monday. More information here.

On Easter Sunday, the otherwise peaceful Bernites become militant: It’s time, then, to loot other people’s Easter eggs. The traditional Eiertschete at Kornhausplatz is an egg versus egg fight. If you break an opponent’s egg, you can keep it. Only those who do not leave the victory to chance become the King of Tüsch: Young chickens’ eggs are more durable than old poultry’s eggs.

From 10:00 on April 9, 2023. More information on that here.

Things are very serious and thoughtful on Good Friday in Romont FR: After the story of passion is read in the church of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption, black-robed mourners (Les Pleureuses) parade through the town. On red pillows they carry the instruments of torture of Christ, the crown of thorns, the whips, nails, hammers, tongs, they sing and pray in the upper town. A chilling thoughtful reminder of what happened on Good Friday. More information on that here.

According to Catholic belief, church bells go to Rome during Easter. But how will you call people to prayer? In Grimentz VS, Rue and Romont FR, a tradition that existed in many regions has been preserved: tapping with wooden tools called tapolets. Ratchets are used three times a day from Maundy Thursday to Holy Saturday.

A special Easter tradition has survived at Ferden in the Lower Lötschental. On Easter Monday, all residents of the valley are given a serving of Ziger, bread and wine. What sounds like Christian philanthropy has its origins in the superstitions of ancient mountain farmers. The tradition originated in the 14th century. In the Faldum, Resti and Kummen Alps, a haunted dairy is said to have driven cows from the barns. To put an end to the damage, Alpine owners undertook to process the two-day-old milk into cheese for the people. Even today, milk from the greasy summer days of July 23 and 24 is worked into donation zigs. The residents of Lötschental, after receiving their share of Ziger, thank them with the words “Bless God a thousand times and God give you your eternal reward”. More information on that here.

Source : Blick