Photo © Geoff Pegler
Flowers, costumes and sunshine – the Kinderumzug or Children’s Parade, the prelude to the Parade of Guilds on Monday, took place in Zurich today in full sunshine.
Photo © Geoff Pegler
The Kinderumzug is the first part of the tradition of Sechseläuten and always takes place on the Sunday afternoon before Monday’s celebrations with the 26 Guilds or “Zünfte” walking through the city. The culmination of the festival is the burning of the Böögg in Sechseläutenplatz on Monday at 6pm precisely.
Photo © Geoff Pegler
The children, aged between 5 and 15 years old march through the city in traditional, national and historical costumes.
Photo © Geoff Pegler
The reason for the holiday dates back to the celebration of the end of Winter working hours and a change to Summer working hours allowing people to enjoy some non-working daylight hours. On Monday each of the Guilds will be marching through Zurich in their traditional costumes so make sure you don’t miss the parades which start at 2pm. It is a fun occasion, with sweets and treats thrown to the children in the crowd and it makes for a real spectacle with horses, carriages, floats and even camels to be seen.
Photos © Geoff Pegler
For more information and details of the route please read our previous post here. The weather is forecast to be hot and sunny with blue skies – enjoy this celebration of the beginning of Spring!
