The Burning of the Böögg
Every Sechseläuten Monday, precisely at 6 p.m., the large woodpile is set ablaze as church bells ring throughout Zurich. Guild horsemen circle the bonfire to the tune of the 'Sechseläuten' march. Around ten minutes into the fire, the flames reach the 'Böögg'—a snowman figure filled with fireworks—culminating in a grand explosion of fireworks hidden within its head.
According to Zurich folklore, the longer it takes for the 'Böögg's' head to explode, the later summer will arrive. After the bonfire, the guilds retreat to their guild houses or local restaurants for dinner.
The Böögg and the Bonfire
The 'Böögg' stands about 3.4 meters tall, weighs approximately 80 kilograms, and is packed with around 120 fireworks. The towering woodpile, provided by Zurich's garden department, measures nearly 12 meters high and 7 meters in diameter, composed of scrap wood.
Sechseläuten March
Download MP3 (751 KBytes)
Gallery
