The Republic & Canton of Geneva
The Republic & Canton of Geneva has a rich & fascinating history going back 2000 years. It is known as the City of Calvin, the birthplace of the Red Cross, that it hosts numerous international organizations, that it is the home of CERN where among other things the World Wide Web was invented in 1989, and Geneva has been the home of innumerable famous people from all over the world seeking a place of refuge. You can check out the Geneva Tourism site for great videos and information.
Every country has its unique customs & traditions. In the US we have trick-or-treating during Halloween; go to New Orleans, it’s Mardi Gras; in Germany it’s Fasching; go to Sweden to celebrate Sankta Lucia. Switzerland has its fair share of traditions and celebrations. Bern has the Zibelemärit, in Basel Fasnacht is feted, in Zürich it’s Sechseläuten, and in the Valais you’ll find Tschäggättä chasing winter & the evil spirits away. And Geneva…it’s La Fête de L’Escalade celebrated on December 12th. It commemorates when on the night of December 11, 1602, Mère Royaume –according to folklore- flung a heavy caldron of boiling vegetable soup from her window on the head of Savoyard attackers climbing the ramparts ultimately defeating the invaders from Savoie.
I remember as a kid going door to door with my friends singing “Cé qu’è lainô” and other seasonal songs in anticipation of being recompensed with chocolates & candies. Back home, we frequently had a chocolate marmite for dessert filled with marzipan “vegetables”. The ritual was to crush it with your fist and utter: “Ainsi périssent les ennemis de la République!” (Thus perish the enemies of the Republic!)
Enjoy the Videos by clicking on the highlighted links above.
The Republic & Canton of Geneva has a rich & fascinating history going back 2000 years. It is known as the City of Calvin, the birthplace of the Red Cross, that it hosts numerous international organizations, that it is the home of CERN where among other things the World Wide Web was invented in 1989, and Geneva has been the home of innumerable famous people from all over the world seeking a place of refuge. You can check out the Geneva Tourism site for great videos and information.
Every country has its unique customs & traditions. In the US we have trick-or-treating during Halloween; go to New Orleans, it’s Mardi Gras; in Germany it’s Fasching; go to Sweden to celebrate Sankta Lucia. Switzerland has its fair share of traditions and celebrations. Bern has the Zibelemärit, in Basel Fasnacht is feted, in Zürich it’s Sechseläuten, and in the Valais you’ll find Tschäggättä chasing winter & the evil spirits away. And Geneva…it’s La Fête de L’Escalade celebrated on December 12th. It commemorates when on the night of December 11, 1602, Mère Royaume –according to folklore- flung a heavy caldron of boiling vegetable soup from her window on the head of Savoyard attackers climbing the ramparts ultimately defeating the invaders from Savoie.
I remember as a kid going door to door with my friends singing “Cé qu’è lainô” and other seasonal songs in anticipation of being recompensed with chocolates & candies. Back home, we frequently had a chocolate marmite for dessert filled with marzipan “vegetables”. The ritual was to crush it with your fist and utter: “Ainsi périssent les ennemis de la République!” (Thus perish the enemies of the Republic!)
Enjoy the Videos by clicking on the highlighted links above.
