break time
And another year has passed. We like to look back at moments like this. This time not for the current year, but for a few years and decades. Have fun traveling through time!
New Year’s Eve is celebrated with old traditions in various regions of Switzerland. Some of these traditions have unfortunately now disappeared, others are more alive than ever.
The Silvesterchläuse in Urnäsch are known throughout Switzerland. However, these also make their big appearance on Old New Year’s Eve (January 13th, Julian calendar). New Year’s Eve clowns are also out and about in other places. For example, in Wald in the Zurich Oberland. Here they are accompanied by snapping donkeys, which are supposed to drive away evil.
But enough words, let’s dive into the black and white world and the old photos from around 80 years ago. Here we have found 16 customs or parties from times long past – although some of the customs still exist, of course:
New Year’s Eve in Gstaad, Bernese Oberland (1961)
image: eth image archive
image: eth image archive
image: eth image archive
Children sing and receive chunks and treats in Aubonne, canton of Vaud (1944)
bild: keystone
bild: keystone
The same custom in Compesières in the commune of Bardonnex near Geneva
Image: PHOTOPRESS ARCHIVE
Children used to go from house to house on sleighs:
Image: PHOTOPRESS ARCHIVE
New Year’s Eve party in Lenk im Simmental, Bernese Oberland
bild: keystone
bild: keystone
bild: keystone
Alfred Hitchcock raises his hat at the New Year’s Eve celebration in St. Moritz (1967)
bil: keystone
Lantern parade on New Year’s Eve in Wil, St. Gallen (1970-1980)
Image: PHOTOPRESS ARCHIVE
Out and about in the streets of Wil SG.Image: PHOTOPRESS ARCHIVE
There are also color pictures of this custom:
image: eth image archive
image: eth image archive
image: eth image archive
New Year’s Eve party in the Zurich Congress House (1950)
bild: keystone
And the party at the Clubhouse in Zurich that same year:
bild: keystone
Image: PHOTOPRESS ARCHIVE
Silvesterkläuse in Urnäsch, Appenzell Ausserrhoden (1977)
image: eth image archive
… a few years later as a color photo (1975-1985)
image: eth image archive
New Year’s Eve party with dancing and live band in St. Moritz, Graubünden (1948)
bild: keystone
In Interlaken there is the Harder Potschete on January 2nd
The origin of the custom lies in the pagan solstice celebration. Potschen are pig bladders that the butchers provided to the children on Berchtold’s Day.Image: PHOTOPRESS ARCHIVE
Other characters at the original event include the “Hardermannli”, the “Schnäggehüsler”, the “Hobelspänler”, “Tannzäpfler”, and the “Chrisäschtler”, who decorate their sackcloth with lots of fine fir branches. Finally, there are the moss spirits, the root men and “hollymen”, who are covered with moss and lichens, roots and leaves all around. A real “Chlummler” wears a dress whose decorations come from the forest.Image: PHOTOPRESS ARCHIVE
New Year’s Eve customs in Wald, Zurich (1966)
image: eth image archive
image: eth image archive
A donkey in his element:
Image: PHOTOPRESS ARCHIVE
Stephanie Glaser and Fredy Lienhard appear at the New Year’s Eve celebration in the Regensdorf prison near Zurich (1977)
bild: keystone
The Chlaus game in Stäfa (1954)
Also a custom with a lot of noise to drive away the winter. The figure of the donkey, which the donkey driver drives through the streets with a cracking whip, is a symbol of the old year.Image: PHOTOPRESS ARCHIVE
In red-striped hooded dresses, the “Lachners” perform wild dances with large bell peppers, accompanied by Chläusen in white shirts and bishop’s hats. The “Schlychböögge” go along with their rattling collection cans and encourage spectators to insert their coins.Image: PHOTOPRESS ARCHIVE
The procession is led by a “Protestant Chlaus” as a concession to Protestant Zurich. Everything is a combination of pagan customs and Christian traditions for New Year’s Eve. It is a special pleasure to catch a driver. Of course, a dance is also performed here – until he thanks you with a donation.Image: PHOTOPRESS ARCHIVE
New Year’s Eve in Glaris, Canton of Graubünden (1944)
bild: keystone
bild: keystone
Star singers in Alvaneu, Graubünden (1971)
image: eth image archive
Achetringeler in Laupen BE (1952)
Following an ancient custom, young people gather at the castle on New Year’s Eve in Laupen, Canton Bern, to drive away evil spirits in a procession as Achetringeler with bells and trembles. “Ache-tringele” means something like “to ring down”.Image: PHOTOPRESS ARCHIVE
The old year is ringed down by the Tringel to drive away the evil spirits and demons of winter.Image: PHOTOPRESS ARCHIVE
The Laupen fur-covered broom and leaf men with their long poles and inflated pig bladders – themselves acting like demons – are said to be able to drive these monsters away.Image: PHOTOPRESS ARCHIVE
Altjahrsesu, the New Year’s Eve custom in Schwarzenburg (1960)
Image: PHOTOPRESS ARCHIVE
Image: PHOTOPRESS ARCHIVE
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