The traditional Zurich weather forecaster, an exploding stuffed snowman perched atop a blazing pyre, failed to set the traditional holiday crowds alight on Monday. The Böögg took a monotonous 20 minutes and 31 seconds for its head to explode – thus signaling a drab Swiss summer.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/mga
The Sechseläuten (or ‘Six Bells’) spring parade each year signals the burning of the Böögg – an effigy representing the long winter months recently endured. Legend has it that the quicker the Böögg’s explosives-packed head takes to go off with a bang, the warmer and sunnier the summer will be.
Under drizzling grey skies on Monday, the process took a tediously long time. In fact, on only four occasions in the last decade has the Böögg taken longer to lose its head.
Last year’s result was altogether more satisfactory, both in terms of the speed at which the snowman exploded and the accuracy of its forecast. Last summer saw lots of sunshine and hot temperatures, just as the Böögg said it would, when its head detonated in under ten minutes.
This year, Zurich’s city trade guilds, resplendent as ever in traditional costumes and riding horses, were joined by guests from Basel and government minister Guy Parmelin and Ignazio Cassis.
Popular Stories
More
Climate change
Switzerland turns train tracks into solar power plants
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
Living longer: What do you think about the longevity trend?
The longevity market is booming thanks in part to advances in the science of ageing. What do you think of the idea of significantly extending human lifespan?
This content was published on
Primary school children in the Swiss canton of Nidwalden will not be allowed to use mobile phones and other electronic devices..
This content was published on
Switzerland has increased maximum possible output from hydropower by 43 megawatts compared to last year, according to the Swiss energy ministry.
SWISS cancels Tel Aviv flights after Ben Gurion airport missile attack
This content was published on
After a missile landed near Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion Airport, Swiss International Airlines (SWISS) cancelled its flight from Zurich to Tel Aviv on Sunday.
Swiss foreign minister rejects mandatory referendum for EU deals
This content was published on
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis defended the government’s decision to make EU deals subject to an optional rather than a mandatory referendum.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Women take a step forward at the Sechseläuten
This content was published on
The Fraumünster Association (Gesellschaft zu Fraumünster) has been fighting for 22 years to be able to process alongside the men. But the battle is not over yet. Monday’s festival takes the form of a colourful parade through the city to the Sechseläuten square. It is here that the Böögg – a snowman figure representing winter whose…
Is Zurich’s traditional festival too stressful for horses?
This content was published on
Could being made to ride through crowds and around a bonfire during Zurich's spring festival, Sechseläuten, constitute animal cruelty?
This content was published on
The ‘Böögg’, as he’s called, is placed on top of a giant bonfire in Zurich, while a large crowd waits for the moment his head explodes. This year it took 43 minutes and 34 seconds – a record-breaking and resolutely terrible result for the summer. The tradition, which takes place annually in April, serves to drive…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.