The event usually takes place in the large Sechseläutenplatz square in Zurich, attracting thousands of onlookers. The city authorities had previously announced the burning would be screened live on television without spectators on April 19. On Tuesday it was announced that canton Uri, in central Switzerland, would play host to the ceremony in the remote Schöllenen Gorge near to the spectacular Devil’s Bridge.
This is to allow the event to take place in compliance with pandemic lockdown measures that forbid crowds of people to gather together.
In 1890, a decorated doll (a forebearer of the Böögg) was burned in Zurich in an attempt to drive off a “Russian flu” epidemic.
Swiss national science foundation funded over 5,000 projects in 2023
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In 2023, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) provided a total of CHF961 million worth of funding towards research projects.
Switzerland invites 160 delegations to June Ukraine peace talks
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Russia is currently not among the delegations invited to talks aimed at helping bring about peace in the conflict between Moscow and Ukraine.
Survey: air travel most popular way to go on holidays for Swiss
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Despite the climate crisis, flying is the most popular mode of transport for private travel – particularly among young, urban and high-income travellers.
Swiss government to use phone data to identify asylum seekers
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From April 2025, authorities plan to be able to analyse data from mobile phones, computers and other data carriers to identify asylum seekers.
Young undocumented migrants gain easier access to vocational training
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Rejected asylum-seekers and young undocumented migrants in Switzerland will have easier access to basic vocational training from June 1.
Migration: Swiss government wants to shorten reunification period for families
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Family members of people temporarily admitted to Switzerland should in future be able to join them after two years instead of three.
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2023 was a record year for the Rhaetian Railway in several respects. Never before has the narrow-gauge railway in Graubünden, eastern Switzerland, transported so many passengers and cars.
A psychic exploding snowman? Welcome to Sechseläuten
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SechseläutenExternal link has various roots. On the one hand it’s based on fire customs linked to the spring equinox, during which boys burnt self-made straw effigies around the city. On the other, members of guilds used to regulate working hours by ringing bells. In winter, craftsmen and traders would work until 5pm and in summer…
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