Out & About in Switzerland: Fribourg welcomes Autumn’s arrival
Over the next few weeks, festivals celebrating the end of summer and the arrival of autumn will be held across the country. The festival season will be ushered in parts of canton Fribourg this weekend (September 9 and 10).
The city of Fribourg and town of Bulle will be holding a “Bénichon” – the name for the festival used only in Fribourg. It’s a traditional fair held after the harvest and the return of the cattle from the alpine pastures.
It originally began in the 15th century to mark the anniversary of the church consecration. In the 18th century, it became the Feast of the Patron Saint, but has lost much of its religious meaning.
The “Bénichon” is best known today as a feast. For six hours or more, people are expected to sit down to a six-course, traditional “Bénichon” meal to enjoy the fruits of the harvest.
A simple bouillon is followed by lamb stew with raisins, ham and sausage with vegetables on the side, and leg of lamb served with a carrot salad. For dessert, there’s a wide assortment of Swiss specialities including cheese, meringues and aniseed bread.
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