The Swiss voice in the world since 1935
Top stories
Stay in touch with Switzerland

Immolated effigy predicts fine Swiss summer

Exploding Böög
The Böögg finally gave something for people to cheer. © Keystone / Ennio Leanza

The traditional burning of the Böögg snowman effigy bodes well for a warm, dry summer in Switzerland this year.

Explosives planted in the Böögg’s head took 12 minutes and 57 seconds to decapitate the stuffed effigy. According to legend, the sooner the head explodes, the better the weather will be. In recent years the head has stayed intact for at least 16 minutes.

Zurich usually plays host to the traditional ceremony, which traces its roots back to 1890. But the Böögg was this year transported to a gorge in the central canton of Uri to dissuade crowds from turning up to watch. Gatherings are strictly limited as the Covid-19 pandemic continues in Switzerland.

The event normally takes place in the large Sechseläutenplatz square in Zurich, attracting thousands of onlookers. It kicks off Zurich’s annual Sechseläuten (“Six Bells”) spring parade each year.

On the one hand it’s based on fire customs linked to the spring equinox, during which boys used to burn self-made straw effigies around the city. It also draws on the tradition of members of guilds regulating working hours by ringing bells in days gone by.

This year, Swiss public television broadcasted the immolation live for people to see. Last year the ceremony was cancelled due to coronavirus.

More


Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Higher direct payments do not stop scrub encroachment on alpine pastures

More

Higher direct payments fail to curb scrub encroachment on alpine pastures

This content was published on The scrub encroachment on Swiss alpine pastures leads to the loss of grassland and damages the typical landscape. It is also responsible for the decline in biodiversity. Despite higher direct payments, the bushes continue to spread.

Read more: Higher direct payments fail to curb scrub encroachment on alpine pastures
Swiss population satisfied with life according to survey

More

Swiss population satisfied with life according to survey

This content was published on In a survey, the population of German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland expressed general satisfaction with their lives. Respondents were less happy with politics and their personal finances, according to the online comparison service Moneyland.

Read more: Swiss population satisfied with life according to survey
Millionaires prioritise well-being over material possessions

More

High-net-worth individuals prioritise well-being over material possessions

This content was published on The priorities of wealthy private individuals have shifted against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions and trade disputes. While spending on luxury goods is declining, demand for travel and experiences is unabated.

Read more: High-net-worth individuals prioritise well-being over material possessions
Spanish flu: virus genome deciphered a century later

More

Swiss researchers sequence genome of 1918 Spanish flu virus

This content was published on Researchers from the Universities of Basel and Zurich (UZH) have sequenced the genome of the Spanish flu virus, thanks to a sample taken from an 18-year-old Swiss boy who died in the city on the Limmat in 1918, when the pandemic spread around the world.

Read more: Swiss researchers sequence genome of 1918 Spanish flu virus

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

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.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR