Zurich's centuries-old Sechselaeuten stems from the tradition of driving out
evil winter spirits and welcoming the longer, milder days of spring. On
Sechselaeuten-Monday, some 3,500 colourfully-costumed guildsmen, over 350
horsemen, 50 horse-drawn wagons and around 30 bands parade through Zurich to
the Sechselaeutenplatz for the burning of the Boegg, a straw effigy atop a
13-metre high bonfire. The procession to the bonfire is a huge spectacle and
attracts thousands of spectators. The bonfire is lit at precisely six
o'clock in the evening and horsemen then circle the blaze three times to the
accompaniment of the Sechselaeuten March. Tradition says that the faster the
Boegg burns, the sooner summer will arrive and the longer and sunnier it
will be. The date of Sechselaeuten varies but is usually held in April.
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