Old Switzerland Day in Geneva: Escalade and Cauldron of Chocolate
Old Switzerland Day in Geneva: Escalade and Cauldron of Chocolate

Video: Old Switzerland Day in Geneva: Escalade and Cauldron of Chocolate

Video: Old Switzerland Day in Geneva: Escalade and Cauldron of Chocolate
Video: WORLD'S BIGGEST MIRROR | Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia - YouTube 2024, November
Anonim
Switzerland, Geneva. Chocolate Cauldron for Escalade
Switzerland, Geneva. Chocolate Cauldron for Escalade

Switzerland - one of those wonderful European countries in which the memory of the Middle Ages is still alive. A very beautiful holiday that is celebrated in it - Escalade in Geneva - is heavily involved in the events of medieval history. Early December in Geneva - the days during which the spirit of old Switzerland is resurrected, children eat candy "soup" from the chocolate cauldron, teenagers throw flour and eggs, and adults go to the ceremonial parade in medieval costumes

Escalade - Old Switzerland Day in Geneva
Escalade - Old Switzerland Day in Geneva

Escalade Day is celebrated in Geneva on December 12, or next weekend. Four centuries ago, these days Geneva was stormed by the troops of the Duke of Savoy. The duke hoped to properly profit from the wealth of the city, and in 1602 his army secretly approached the walls of Geneva. A special group of saboteurs was supposed to open the gates. However, the Trojan plan failed: a night bell rang in Geneva, and the city prepared for a siege. The Duke launched an assault, but the townspeople fought desperately. The feat of mother Roye went down in history, who threw a cauldron of soup on the enemy's head and killed him on the spot. The Savoyans were never able to take the city with the help of the stairs (in French "escalier"), and left unsparingly.

Escalade - Old Switzerland Day in Geneva
Escalade - Old Switzerland Day in Geneva

Since then, the day of the Escalade has become the main holiday of Geneva … In memory of the cauldron of mother Roye, on this day, children are given a special chocolate cauldron with sweets, which they must break with the words "So the enemies of the Republic will die!" And on Escalade, schoolchildren cook vegetable soup for their parents, and in the evening they beg for sweets from the neighbors, like on Halloween. Since 1978, the holiday has also acquired a sporting element: in honor of the day of the Escalade, a race is held.

Escalade - Old Switzerland Day in Geneva
Escalade - Old Switzerland Day in Geneva
Escalade - Old Switzerland Day in Geneva
Escalade - Old Switzerland Day in Geneva

But, of course, the culmination of the holiday is the procession of mummers in medieval costumes of the inhabitants of Geneva. The Swiss strum with cuirass and halberds, proudly carry huge red flags with white crosses, simultaneously playing the city's anthem - the song "Cé qu'è l'ainô", written about the glorious events of 1602, in which there are actually 68 verses, but everyone remembers only four. But they sing - with enthusiasm!

Recommended: