Sechselauten - Switzerland's Spring Festival
1/26/2022 | 26m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
Join Joseph on his springtime visit to Zurich, Switzerland.
Join Joseph on his visit to Zurich, Switzerland when its residents welcome spring in celebration. On parade day, Joseph joins the Bakers Guild for a romp through the streets of Zurich to the square where the Bogg (snowman) loses his head in a burst of firecrackers. Once he is engulfed in flames winter is banished and the citizens of Zurich use the glowing embers of his pyre to roast sausages.
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Sechselauten - Switzerland's Spring Festival
1/26/2022 | 26m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
Join Joseph on his visit to Zurich, Switzerland when its residents welcome spring in celebration. On parade day, Joseph joins the Bakers Guild for a romp through the streets of Zurich to the square where the Bogg (snowman) loses his head in a burst of firecrackers. Once he is engulfed in flames winter is banished and the citizens of Zurich use the glowing embers of his pyre to roast sausages.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> WELCOME TO "JOSEPH ROSENDO'S TRAVELSCOPE," WHERE YOU JOIN US AS WE ACCEPT THE WORLD'S INVITATION TO VISIT.
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY FRIENDS ON NCI] Joseph: TODAY ON "TRAVELSCOPE," I HEAD TO SWITZERLAND FOR A TASTE OF OLD AND NEW ZURICH AND TO JOIN THE ANNUAL SPRING FESTIVAL.
>> "JOSEPH ROSENDO'S TRAVELSCOPE" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY VOLVO'S OVERSEAS DELIVERY PROGRAM, WHERE BUYERS CAN PICK UP A NEW VOLVO IN SWEDEN, USE IT IN EUROPE, AND THEN HAVE IT JOIN THEM AT HOME.
NO-JET-LAG, JET LAG PREVENTION.
AUBERGE RESORTS, DISTINCTIVE COLLECTION OF LUXURY RESORTS, RESIDENCES, AND SPAS.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE TO DO WHEN I TRAVEL IS TO GET UP EARLY IN THE MORNING AND JOIN THE BIRDS AS THEY WELCOME THE NEW DAY.
FROM A VANTAGE POINT, I CAN GET A BIG PICTURE VIEW OF THE TOWN I'M ABOUT TO EXPLORE.
BEHIND ME IS AN AWAKENING ZURICH AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL LAKE.
ZURICH IS THE LARGEST CITY IN SWITZERLAND.
IT'S LONG BEEN CHARACTERIZED AS A CONSERVATIVE BUSINESS CENTER OR A GREAT SPOT TO BEGIN YOUR VISIT TO THE REST OF SWITZERLAND.
WHAT ABOUT ZURICH ITSELF?
WE'RE HERE IN THE EARLY DAYS OF SPRING.
THE VINES THAT PRODUCE THE GRAPES FOR THE WHITE WINE OF ZURICH ARE NOT EVEN IN LEAF YET.
BUT IT'S A PERFECT SPOT, BECAUSE WE'RE HERE TO CELEBRATE THE END OF WINTER, THE BLOSSOMING OF A NEW SPRING, TO UNCOVER THE ROOTS OF ZURICH'S HISTORY AND TRADITIONS WHILE WE DISCOVER THE NEW, EMERGING ZURICH.
JOIN ME ON MY ZURICH, SWITZERLAND ADVENTURE.
LOCATED ON LAKE ZURICH ALONG THE RIVER LIMMAT, ZURICH IS ONE OF THE WEALTHIEST CITIES IN EUROPE, AND IT'S MILLION-PLUS INHABITANTS SOME OF THE MOST INDUSTRIOUS.
YET THEY KNOW HOW TO ENJOY THEIR HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE.
EACH SPRING THEY TAKE THE TIME TO CELEBRATE AND SAY GOOD-BYE TO WINTER DURING THE SECHSELAUTEN FESTIVAL.
THE SECHSELAUTEN FESTIVAL CELEBRATES THE END OF WINTER AND THE BEGINNING OF SPRING.
IT'S EARLY APRIL, AND AT LEAST THIS YEAR, SPRING IS IN FULL BLOOM IN ZURICH.
TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS ARE MARKET DAYS HERE IN BURKLIPLATZ IN ZURICH, AND BURKLIPLATZ IS RIGHT HERE ALONGSIDE THE LAKE.
IN FACT, IN THE 19th CENTURY, THIS WAS A LAKE, UNTIL ARNOLD BURKLI, THE CITY ENGINEER, MOVED THE CITY INTO THE LAKE AND FILLED THIS AREA.
THE MARKET IS HERE YEAR-ROUND, AND PEOPLE COME HERE FOR THEIR BREADS AND THEIR VEGETABLES AND THEIR FRUITS.
AND WHAT'S NICE ABOUT BEING HERE IN SPRING IS THAT EVERYONE'S OUT ENJOYING THE OUTDOORS.
AND THERE ARE SOME SEASONAL SPECIALTIES, LIKE THE WHITE ASPARAGUS OR TULIPS, WHICH REALLY MAKE THIS A COLORFUL EXPERIENCE.
WHAT'S NICE ABOUT BEING HERE IN THE SPRINGTIME IS EVERYBODY'S SO EXCITED ABOUT THE FLOWERS.
OF COURSE SEASONAL FLOWERS THEY CAN TAKE HOME, BUT ALSO FLOWERS THEY CAN PLANT IN THEIR GARDEN.
ARE THESE FROM SWITZERLAND?
I THOUGHT MAYBE YOU WERE DUTCH, FROM HOLLAND OR SOMETHING.
DANKE.
>> YEAH, DANKE.
>> LOOK AT THESE BEAUTIFUL WHITE ASPARAGUS.
DURING THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, AROUND EASTER TIME IN EUROPE, YOU'LL SEE WHITE ASPARAGUS ON THE MENU.
AND IT IS REALLY BEAUTIFUL.
GUTEN TAG.
OH, LOOK AT THE BEAUTIFUL CHEESES.
SMELLS GOOD.
>> THAT'S EMMENTALER.
CALL SWISS CHEESE IN THE UNITED STATES.
>> AND THE GRUYERE.
>> WHICH IS ALSO A TYPICAL SWISS CHEESE.
USE GRUYERE IN FONDUE, RIGHT?
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> SO HOW DID YOU BECOME THE CHEESE MAN?
YOU'RE SWISS!
YOU'RE SWISS!
TRAVELING THROUGHOUT SWITZERLAND WITH A SWISS PASS IS A REAL DEAL.
FOR ONE PRICE YOU GET FREE TRANSPORTATION ON BUSES, TRAMS, TRAINS, BOATS, AND REDUCTIONS ON CABLE CARS.
AND WHEN YOU'RE IN ZURICH, THE ZURICH CARD OFFERS SIMILAR SERVICES.
NOT ONLY DO YOU GET FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, BUT YOU GET SPECIAL OFFERS AT RESTAURANTS, NIGHTCLUBS, AND OTHER ENTERTAINMENTS, AND FREE ADMISSION AT MORE THAN 30 MUSEUMS.
THE ZURICH MUSEUM OF ART HAS ONE OF THE LARGEST COLLECTIONS OF MODERN ART IN THE WORLD, WHILE THE SWISS NATIONAL MUSEUM PRESENTS A HISTORIC AND CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE OF SWITZERLAND.
ALMOST FROM THE BEGINNING, ZURICH WAS THE CENTER OF COMMERCE AND, CONSEQUENTLY, WEALTH, AND IT WAS INFLUENCED BY MANY POWERFUL FORCES.
THE FIRST WERE THE ROMANS MORE THAN 2,000 YEARS AGO, WHO CROSSED THE ALPS, CAME TO WHAT IS NOW LAKE ZURICH, AND BUILT BOATS THAT BROUGHT THEM TO THIS SIDE OF THE LAKE, WHERE THEY BUILT A VILLAGE.
LINDENHOF WAS THE HIGHEST POINT IN THAT ANCIENT VILLAGE.
ON A BEAUTIFUL SPRING DAY LIKE TODAY, YOU CAN SIT UNDER THE LINDEN TREES AND LOOK OUT ON THE OLD TOWN AND DOWN ON THE HALLS OF THE GUILDS, WHICH WERE ANOTHER POWERFUL INFLUENCE IN THE HISTORY OF ZURICH.
FOR MORE THAN 450 YEARS THE GUILDS CONTROLLED THE CITY OF ZURICH.
TODAY A MIX OF NOBLES, TRADES, AND NEIGHBORHOODS, THE GUILDS ARE ONE OF THE 3 ROUTES OF THE CENTURIES-OLD SECHSELAUTEN FESTIVAL.
THE EVENT IS AN EXCLUSIVE, MEMBERS-ONLY CELEBRATION, A CITYWIDE COMMEMORATION OF THE PROTESTANT WORK ETHIC AND A NATIONAL RITUAL THAT WELCOMES SPRING BY BURNING A SNOWMAN, THE BOOGG, AT THE STAKE.
THE BAKERS GUILD IS ONE OF THE 26 THAT WILL PARADE ON SECHSELAUTEN MONDAY.
WE'RE MAKING THE SPECIAL BREADS THE BAKERS GUILD WILL BE GIVING AWAY DURING THE FESTIVAL.
THEY'LL BE THROWING TO THE CROWD OF ONLOOKERS.
CORN AND FLOUR.
SALT, MALT AND, UH, SOME KIND OF A YEAST?
>> YEAST.
>> AND HERE'S THE YEAST.
>> NOW A LITTLE BIT OF OIL.
>> WHAT'S THEN NAME OF THE LITTLE BREAD YOU'RE GOING TO MAKING, HANNES?
>> SEMMEL.
>> SEMMEL.
WHICH MEANS?
>> ROLLS.
>> ROLLS.
>> ROLLS.
>> SO NOW WE'RE TAKING IT OVER TO THE MACHINE TO...MIX IT UP.
HANNES IS GOING TO PUT-- >> THE WATER IS INSIDE, ALL READY.
>> INTO THE MIXER HERE, IN ORDER TO CREATE A PASTE HE CALLS IT.
OK, HERE WE GO.
WE PULL THE BATTER OUT OF THERE.
YOU CAN TELL BY JUST FEELING IT, HANNES?
>> YES.
>> WHETHER IT'S RIGHT?
HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU DONE THIS?
>> 50 YEARS.
>> 50 YEARS.
NOW THIS WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO LET SIT FOR A LITTLE BIT, TO REST, RIGHT?
>> THAT'S IT.
>> FABULOUS.
AND THEN EVENTUALLY, WE GET TO THE POINT WHERE YOU GET TO EAT IT, DON'T WE?
>> YEAH.
>> THAT'S THE MAIN REASON WE'RE DOING THIS.
THIS IS A BREAD THEY GIVE TO THEIR SPECIAL GUESTS FOR THE FESTIVAL.
IT'S CALLED A WECKEN.
THE WECKEN IS THE CUT, RIGHT, HANNES?
>> THE WECKEN IS CUT.
>> IT'S THE CUT, AND THE CUT HARKENS BACK TO MEDIEVAL TIMES WHEN THE WOODSMAN SPLIT THE LOG AND THAT WAS THE CUT.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MEMBER OF THE GUILD, HANNES?
>> 25 YEARS.
>> 25 YEARS.
BUT YOU'VE BEEN A BAKER FOR 50.
WHAT DID YOU HAVE TO DO TO GET IN THE GUILD?
>> TO BE AN HONEST MAN.
>> TO BE AN HONEST MAN.
THAT A RARE THING.
SO THE PEOPLE IN THE GUILD, THERE'S JUST A FEW.
HOW MANY MEMBERS IN THE GUILD?
DO YOU KNOW?
>> ABOUT 175.
>> OF THAT GROUP, ONLY 15 ARE ACTUALLY-- >> HAVE A BAKERY.
>> BUT MOST ARE IN THE GUILD FROM THEIR FAMILIES IN THE PAST.
>> OK. THAT'S IT.
THAT'S IT.
>> THAT'S WONDERFUL.
BUT YOU'RE STILL DOING IT.
YOU'RE KEEPING THE TRADITION GOING.
AND YOUR SON'S TAKING OVER.
>> YEAH.
YEAH, YEAH.
>> FABULOUS.
THE PROCESS OF CREATING THE SEMMEL IS WELL ALONG NOW.
THE BAKERS ARE POUNDING IT OUT AND CREATING THE ROLLS THAT WILL BE THROWN IN THE FESTIVAL.
THERE'S GOING TO BE THOUSANDS OF THESE BREADS MADE.
>> YEAH, YEAH.
YEAH, YEAH.
>> BECAUSE YOU THROW THEM TO THE PEOPLE.
>> YEAH.
IT'S GRATIS.
>> YEAH, OF COURSE.
IT'S FREE.
FREE IS GOOD, BUT SOMETHING BEING IMPORTANT AND HAVING MEANING IS GOOD, TOO.
>> OH, MY GOSH!
>> VERY HOT.
>> VERY GOOD, THOUGH.
VERY GOOD.
MMM.
>> IT'S A--IT'S A REAL TASTE.
>> REAL GOOD.
>> NOTHING FROM THE-- >> THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO ARTIFICIAL TASTE TO IT AT ALL.
>> YEAH.
>> THIS IS BREAD.
>> YEAH.
DEFINITELY.
>> BEGINNING IN 1336, THE GUILDS OF ZURICH CONTROLLED THE CITY'S POLITICAL LIFE.
WHILE THEIR GLORY HAS FADED, THEIR MEMBERS ARE STILL SOME OF THE CITY'S FOREMOST MOVERS AND SHAKERS, AND THE ANNUAL SECHSELAUTEN SPRING FESTIVAL HAS BECOME AN OPPORTUNITY TO STRUT THEIR STUFF.
I'M WITH MARTIN, ROBIN, BARBARA, AND BARBARA, AND THEY'RE PART OF THIS WONDERFUL CELEBRATION HERE IN ZURICH.
AND TONIGHT'S REALLY THE BIG KICKOFF, RIGHT?
>> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> MARTIN, WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE TONIGHT?
>> WE ARE GOING TO HAVE DIFFERENT BALLS IN ALL THESE OLD GUILD HOUSES AROUND HERE.
THEY END AROUND 3:00 IN THE MORNING.
>> MY GOSH!
>> AND EVERYONE IS GOING TO CELEBRATE IN OTHER PLACES.
>> TELL ME ABOUT THE COSTUMES.
>> THESE ARE JUST COSTUMES FROM THE SOCIETY OF THE CONSTAFFEL.
AND WE HAVE THIS HUNTING DOG BECAUSE IN OUR SOCIETY THERE IS THE HUNTER AND THE COUNSEL OF ZURICH AND, UH, VARIOUS OTHER PEOPLE.
>> THIS IS A GUILD, BUT NOT A WORKERS GUILD.
>> THAT'S CORRECT.
THE OTHER ONES ARE WORKERS GUILDS.
THE NEWER ONES ARE ACCORDING TO THE DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE CITY OF ZURICH.
>> LIKE THE NEIGHBORHOOD GUILDS ALMOST, RIGHT?
>> LIKE THE NEIGHBORHOOD GUILDS.
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT ONE TIME IN ZURICH THERE WAS A NOBLEMANS AND THERE WAS A TRADES-PEOPLE, AND YOUR GUILD IS REALLY WHAT'S LEFT OF THE NOBLEMAN HERE IN ZURICH.
>> THAT'S CORRECT.
SO TONIGHT, THE BIG THING IS THAT WE ARE ALL MIXED.
THEY'RE ALL A HAPPY, MIXED FAMILY.
>> WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPEAKING WITH ME AND HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME, AND I HOPE TO BE JOINING YOU ON MONDAY.
I'LL SEE YOU THERE.
>> [CANNON FIRES] WHILE IT'S WONDERFUL TO BE IN TOWN FOR A FESTIVAL, ZURICH ITSELF HAS ENOUGH TO SATISFY ANYONE'S APPETITE FOR PLEASURE.
TO BEGIN WITH, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF RESTAURANTS, MANY OPEN-AIR, WHERE YOU CAN SAMPLE REGIONAL FOODS LIKE LAKE ZURICH PERCH, AND THE LOCAL SPECIALTY: VEAL AND GRAVY SERVED WITH ROESTI POTATOES.
DESSERT, ANYONE?
ON ALMOST EVERY STREET CORNER IN SWITZERLAND THERE'S A CHOCOLATE SHOP WHERE YOU CAN ENJOY DECADENT SWEETS, LIKE THE HOT CHOCOLATE AT CAFE SHOBER.
>> THE FIRST SWEET CORNER SHOP IN THE OLD TOWN OF ZURICH, AND, UH--IT'S GOOD?
>> OH, MY GOSH!
WHOO-HOO!
>> IT'S REALLY NOT GOOD TO SPEAK THE WHOLE TIME BECAUSE-- >> NO, I'M TRYING TO CONCENTRATE.
AND ON A SUNNY SPRING DAY, THERE'S NO BETTER PLACE TO SPEND TIME THAN LAKESIDE.
PEOPLE HAVE REALLY COME OUT TODAY.
WE GOT MUSIC PLAYING, COUPLES STROLLING ALONG THE BOARDWALK AND TAKING IN THE SUN AND ENJOYING THE WEEKEND.
WHAT I REALLY LOVE ARE THESE BUILT-IN, RECLINING LOUNGE CHAIRS THAT THEY SUPPLY HERE: OTHERWISE KNOWN AS TREES.
IT SEEMS THAT EVERY SPACE IN ZURICH IS AN ART GALLERY.
AND WHATEVER YOU DO, YOU CAN DO TO MUSIC.
>> [PLAYING INSTRUMENT] >> DID YOU MAKE THAT INSTRUMENT?
>> NO.
>> DOES IT HAVE A NAME?
>> IT'S NAME IS HANG.
>> HANG.
WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?
>> FROM BERN.
>> FROM BERN?
IT'S A SWISS INSTRUMENT?
AND THIS IS TUNED-- DO YOU TUNE IT OR-- >> LIKE SO.
[ASCENDING SCALE] [DESCENDING SCALE] >> WOW.
>> AND WITH THIS YOU CAN WORK-- YOU CAN MAKE, LIKE-- MAYBE LIKE THAT.
>> OK. WELL, THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT OF YOUR MUSIC.
>> THANK YOU.
>> DANKE.
DANKE.
ZURICH CELEBRATES ITS ANCIENT TRADITIONS BUT DOES NOT LIVE IN THE PAST.
IN FACT, IN WEST ZURICH ITS FORGOTTEN INDUSTRIAL PAST HAS HAD A BREATH OF NEW LIFE BY THE TRANSFORMATION OF ABANDONED LOTS, EMPTY WAREHOUSES AND DERELICT FACTORIES INTO GATHERING PLACES, CAFES AND PARKS.
AND UNDER THE 19th CENTURY RAILWAY VIADUCT, THEY HAVE CREATED A STRING OF ARTIST, CRAFTS, AND RETAIL SPACES THAT ARE ANCHORING A REVITALIZED NEIGHBORHOOD AND A NEW RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY.
THE EMERGING NEW ZURICH DOESN'T JUST THROW AWAY THE OLD ZURICH.
IN FACT, IT INCORPORATES THE OLD ZURICH INTO THE NEW, AND THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE IN WEST ZURICH.
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS VIADUCT, THOUGH, WAS A BIG INDUSTRIAL AREA HERE IN ZURICH.
>> 10 YEARS AGO, IT CHANGED.
THE INDUSTRIAL WENT OUT, AND NOW IT'S THE DISCOTHEQUES, CREDIT INDUSTRY, LIVING--ALL IS BUSTLING NOW.
>> PEOPLE ARE NOW MOVING BACK INTO THIS AREA.
IT'S GONNA BECOME A RESIDENTIAL AREA.
YOU CAN FEEL IT RIGHT HERE IN THE OPEN GREEN.
>> BEFORE, IT WAS NOT USED.
IT WAS A DRUG SCENE, IT WAS PROSTITUTION.
AND IT'S KIND OF RETAKEN BY THE PEOPLE.
THEY HAVE A FEW THOUSAND OF SHOPS BUILDING STILL GOING ON, AND IT'S REALLY BUSTLING NOW.
>> BACK IN TOWN, ONE OF THE OLDEST SECHSELAUTEN EVENTS IS ABOUT TO TAKE PLACE.
THE CHILDREN'S PROCESSION GIVES ALL THE CHILDREN OF ZURICH, FROM A GUILD FAMILY OR NOT, THE CHANCE TO REJOICE IN THE END OF WINTER AND THE REBIRTH OF SPRING.
>> [BRASS BAND PLAYING] >> BENDICHT STRUBER IS WITH THE THREE KINGS GUILD, WHICH IS A NEIGHBORHOOD GUILD.
TOMORROW, ALL THE GUILDS WILL BE TRAVELING TOGETHER.
>> MEMBER OF A GUILD OR INVITED AS A GUEST.
>> WHO ARE THESE CHILDREN?
>> THE CHILDREN IS FROM EVERYBODY.
IT'S ABSOLUTELY PUBLIC.
FOR SURE THERE IS A LITTLE CONNECTION TO OUR GUILD.
>> RIGHT.
>> WE HAVE THE LITTLE BAKERS.
WE HAVE LITTLE--WE HAVE EVERYTHING.
THIS YEAR IT'S ABOUT 3,000 CHILDREN.
>> IT'S NOT JUST EXCLUSIVE.
>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.
>> IT'S A FESTIVAL FOR THE WHOLE CITY OF ZURICH.
>> ABSOLUTELY YES.
>> MONDAY MORNING.
THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY OF THE FESTIVAL, AND MY CHANCE TO MEET THE STAR OF THE SHOW UP CLOSE: THE BOOGG.
THE BURNING OF THE BOOGG, SWISS/GERMAN FOR "BOGEYMAN," TO MARK THE END OF WINTER EVOLVED FROM THE ANCIENT PRACTICE OF BURNING A RAGDOLL.
MADE OF STRAW, COTTON AND WITH A HEAD PACKED WITH EXPLOSIVES, THE 11-FOOT SNOWMAN STANDS ATOP A 40-FOOT PILE OF WOOD, PREPARED TO MAKE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.
IN SWITZERLAND, THERE'S A METHOD BEHIND EVERY MADNESS, EVEN THE MADNESS SURROUNDING THE SECHSELAUTEN FESTIVAL.
THE BOOGG IS STANDING IN THE SPOT WHERE THEY'VE PLACED HIM FOR THE LAST 125 YEARS.
AND HE'S FACING THE CHURCH OF ST. PETER.
WHY?
BECAUSE IT'S THE BELLS OF ST. PETER THAT WILL DETERMINE WHEN IT IS EXACTLY 6:00 AND THE FIRE IS TO BE LIT.
AND IN SWITZERLAND, PEOPLE CAN SET THEIR WATCH BY THAT.
WHEN THE GUILDS RAN ZURICH, THE BELLS OF ST. PETER MARKED THE END OF THE WORKDAY.
SECHSELAUTEN, WHICH MEANS "6:00 BELLS," CELEBRATED THE BEGINNING OF SPRING AND AN HOUR MORE OF SUNLIGHT AND GLORIOUS WORK.
OVER THE CENTURIES, THE COMMEMORATION MERGED WITH THE PAGAN RITE OF SPRING AND THE BURNING OF THE BOOGG.
I'M WITH FRANCO STRAUB, WHO IS THE MAN IN CHARGE OF ALL THE ACTIVITIES TAKING PLACE HERE IN ZURICH FOR SECHSELAUTEN ON MONDAY, THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY, WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON.
THE BOOGG IS UP, AND WE'RE GONNA BE BURNING IT AT 6:00 AND GETTING RID OF THE WINTER.
HE'S SYMBOLIC.
WHEN HIS HEAD EXPLODES, IT'S THE BEGINNING OF SUMMER, BASICALLY.
>> IT'S THE BEGINNING OF SUMMER, AND IF THE HEAD FALLS QUICKLY THEN WE HAVE A GOOD SUMMER.
AND IF TAKES A LOT OF TIME, THEN WE HAVE A BAD SUMMER.
>> THERE'S SO MUCH TRADITION BEHIND IT.
IT'S NICE TO REALLY HAVE A SENSE OF IT.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> AND I LOVE YOUR OUTFIT.
>> THANK YOU!
HA HA HA!
>> MUCH OF THE SPIRIT OF ZURICH CAME OUT OF THE GROSSMUNSTER CHURCH BEHIND ME.
IT WAS BORN IN THE THOUGHTS AND THE IDEAS AND THE WORDS OF PASTOR HULDRYCH ZWINGLI, WHO WAS A HUMANIST AND AN EARLY BELIEVER IN THE SPIRITUAL AND INTELLECTUAL REFORMATION THAT WAS SWEEPING EUROPE IN THE 16th CENTURY.
MANY OF HIS IDEAS ARE THE BASIS OF THE PROTESTANT WORK ETHIC THAT HAS POWERED THIS CITY FOR CENTURIES.
IN FACT, WHEN THE BELL SOUNDS AT 6:00 DURING THE SECHSELAUTEN FESTIVAL, IT ANNOUNCES TO THE PEOPLE, "SPRING IS HERE, AND YOU HAVE ONE MORE HOUR OF WORK TO ENJOY."
LOVE ON ONE'S NEIGHBOR WAS A TENET OF ZWINGLI'S TEACHING, AND EACH YEAR THE BAKERS GUILD HONORS THE TRADITION OF COMMUNAL SHARING BY TOSSING ROLLS FROM GROSSMUNSTER CHURCH.
I'M WITH MICHAEL BAUR, WHO THROUGH HIS FATHER JAN AND HIS FATHER'S FATHER BEFORE HIM IS A MEMBER OF THE BAKERS GUILD, AND WE'RE UP HERE THROWING BREAD.
>> RIGHT.
THIS IS A HUGE TRADITION FOR OUR GUILD.
WE'RE DOING THAT FOR OVER 200 YEARS, GIVING THE BREAD AS A GIFT TO THE FOLKS OF ZURICH.
IT'S A REALLY COOL THING.
>> [SHOUTING] >> [CHEERING] >> IF YOU'RE NOT A GUILD MEMBER, YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN A GUILD'S FESTIVITIES, LIKE THROWING BREAD OR MARCHING IN THE PARADE, AS A GUEST.
A FRIEND'S BROTHER, JAN BAUER, GRACED ME WITH THE HONOR.
>> JOSEPH, THIS IS YOUR BAKER'S HAT.
>> YES.
>> AND THIS IS THE SIGN OF OUR GUILD, WHICH MAKES YOU AN OFFICIAL GUEST OF OUR GUILD TODAY.
[SPEAKING GERMAN] >> [SPEAKING GERMAN] WELL, WE'RE ON THE BREAD CART THAT THE YOUNG FOLKS ARE GONNA BE RIDING ON AND THROWING BREAD TO THE CROWD.
I JUST GOT PINNED AND PADDED WITH THE BAKERS GUILD, AND WHAT AN HONOR TO BE HERE AND PARTICIPATE.
JUST A REAL NICE COMBINATION OF THE PRESENT AND THE PAST COMING TOGETHER IN ONE JOYOUS PARADE.
>> [BRASS BAND PLAYING] 100,000 PEOPLE WILL BE WATCHING THE PARADE, AND THEY'RE JUST LINED ALL ALONG THE STREETS.
AND WE'RE GONNA GO THROUGH CITY CENTER.
>> LIKE 5th AVENUE IN EUROPE.
>> LIKE 5th AVENUE IN EUROPE.
OR RODEO DRIVE IN LOS ANGELES.
SOME PEOPLE THINK THIS IS AN EXCLUSIVE EVENT.
BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, THE WHOLE CITY OF ZURICH IS OUT CELEBRATING.
YOU SEE ALL THE FLOWERS THAT THE WOMEN ARE COMING OUT AND GIVING TO THE MEN, WITH THE KISSES?
IF THERE'S SOMEBODY THAT YOU'VE BEEN INTERESTED IN ALL YEAR ROUND, THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO LET 'EM KNOW IT.
FRANCOIS'S FRENCH, SO HE GETS A LOT OF KISSES.
>> YEAH.
THAT'S TRUE.
>> I HAVEN'T GOT ANY KISSES OR FLOWERS YET, BUT A LOT OF THE GUYS HAVE.
I THINK THIS FESTIVAL IS MORE ABOUT KISSING THAN BREAD.
LOOK HOW MANY FLOWERS HE'S GOT.
THESE TWO PEOPLE KISSING RIGHT IN FRONT OF US HERE.
THIS IS LIKE-- NOBODY'S KISSED ME YET.
I'VE BEEN GIVING A LOT OF BREAD AWAY.
NOW HERE'S A POPULAR MAN.
HE'S A POPULAR MAN.
HOW MANY KISSES HAVE YOU GOTTEN SO FAR?
>> 6.
>> 6 KISSES.
CAN I GET SOME OF YOUR FLOWERS?
SO I DON'T FEEL SO LAME.
LOOK AT ALL THESE FLOWERS HE'S GOT.
WOW.
HOW MANY KISSES IS THIS?
>> NOW 7.
>> 7 KISSES.
I DIDN'T GET ANY FLOWERS, SO I'M DROWNING MY SORROWS WITH SOME OF THE BAKER'' WINE.
THE FESTIVAL ITSELF IS JUST BEGINNING.
WE HAVE MORE FIREWORKS UP AHEAD.
THE PROCESSION OF GUILDS MAKES ITS WAY TO SECHSELAUTENPLATZ, WHERE FOR MORE THAN A HUNDRED YEARS THE CLIMAX OF THE SECHSELAUTEN FESTIVAL HAS TAKEN PLACE, AND THE BOOGG HAS MET HIS DEMISE.
IN HONOR OF THE FIRE THAT'S ABOUT TO HAPPEN, JAN HAS GIVEN ME A CUBAN CIGAR.
>> A LITTLE PRE-FIRE.
>> A LITTLE PRE-FIRE.
A GLASS OF RED WINE, A CUBAN CIGAR.
>> [BOTH SPEAKING GERMAN] >> THE SECHSELAUTEN FESTIVAL IS ABOUT A GENERATIONAL TRADITION.
AND I HAVE GRANDFATHER HERE, GEORGE, AND [INDISTINCT], THE GRANDSON.
HOW MANY OF THESE FESTIVALS HAVE YOU COME TO WOULD YOU SAY?
>> I WAS GOING TO THE GUILD AT '64.
>> 1964?
>> 1964.
THEN I WENT EVERY YEAR.
>> EVERY YEAR SINCE.
>> YEP.
AND WE LOVE IT.
>> YOU LOVE IT.
>> WE LOVE OUR CITY, AND WE LOVE THE SECHSELAUTEN.
>> NOW, ARE A MEMBER--WERE YOU EVER A BAKER?
>> NO, I AM NOT A BAKER, BUT I AM A CONSUMER FOR BREAD.
>> [LAUGHS] IN THIS YEAR'S SECHSELAUTEN PARADE, THERE WERE 30 BRASS BANDS, 3,000 MARCHING GUILD MEMBERS, 50 HORSE-DRAWN VEHICLES, AND 350 HORSEMEN.
ROUND AND ROUND THEY RIDE, FORMING A CIRCLE AROUND THE BOOGG WHICH PREVENTS WINTER'S ESCAPE FROM THE FIRE.
AS THE FLAMES RISE, SO DOES THE CROWD'S ANTICIPATION.
FOR BESIDES THE JOYOUS, EXPLOSIVE SPECTACLE, THEY AWAIT THE FINAL VERDICT ON WHAT LIES AHEAD.
>> [CROWD CHEERING] >> I CAN FEEL THE WARMTH, AND IT'S NOT JUST FROM THE BOOGG BURNING.
IT'S FROM ALL THESE PEOPLE SURROUNDING THE BOOGG BURNING, AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT I'VE MET HERE IN ZURICH.
CONSERVATIVE.
BORING.
COLD.
THAT'S NOT THE ZURICH I KNOW.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME ON MY ZURICH ADVENTURE, "TRAVELSCOPE'S" LATEST SWISS EXPERIENCE.
WHETHER IT'S FOLLOWING MY WIFE'S ROOTS, BASKING IN THE GLOW OF CHRISTMAS, OR HIKING IN THE ALPS, EVERY SWISS JOURNEY HAS OFFERED ME A WEALTH OF PLEASURES AND SURPRISES.
ZURICH EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS.
IT IS A CITY FORGING A NEW FACE FROM IT'S HISTORIC FOUNDATION WHILE PRESERVING ITS ANCIENT TRADITIONS.
BOTH ARE ESSENTIAL.
FOR WHILE REPURPOSING BRICKS AND MORTAR IS IMPORTANT, IT IS THE PEOPLE'S TRADITIONS THAT FORM THE TIES THAT BIND THEM TO EACH OTHER AND CEMENT THEIR BELIEFS.
SO WHILE THE SECHSELAUTEN FESTIVAL MARKS THE END OF WINTER AND THE BEGINNING OF SPRING, THE PROCESSION, THE FIREWORKS, THE RINGING OF THE CHURCH BELL ALSO CELEBRATE THE JOY OF WORK.
IT REFLECTS THEIR BELIEF THAT GOOD WORK IS A JOY, NOT A BURDEN.
FOR IF YOU LOVE YOUR JOB, YOU'LL NEVER WORK A DAY OF YOUR LIFE.
UNTIL NEXT TIME, THIS IS JOSEPH ROSENDO REMINDING YOU OF THE WORDS OF MARK TWAIN: TRAVEL IS FATAL TO PREJUDICE, BIGOTRY, AND NARROW-MINDEDNESS.
HAPPY TRAVELING.
>> "JOSEPH ROSENDO'S TRAVELSCOPE" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY VOLVO'S OVERSEAS DELIVERY PROGRAM, WHERE BUYERS CAN PICK UP A NEW VOLVO IN SWEDEN, USE IT IN EUROPE, AND THEN HAVE IT JOIN THEM AT HOME.
NO-JET-LAG, JET LAG PREVENTION.
AUBERGE RESORTS, DISTINCTIVE COLLECTION OF LUXURY RESORTS, RESIDENCES, AND SPAS.
FOR A DVD OF TODAY'S SHOW OR ANY OF JOSEPH'S "TRAVELSCOPE" ADVENTURES, CALL 888-876-3399.
OR ORDER ONLINE AT TRAVELSCOPE.NET.
YOU CAN ALSO E-MAIL US AT TV@TRAVELSCOPE.NET, OR WRITE US AT THE ADDRESS ON YOUR SCREEN.
Joseph: NOW THAT WE'VE BANISHED WINTER IN ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, LEARN MORE AT TRAVELSCOPE.NET WHERE YOU CAN FOLLOW MY WORLD-WIDE ADVENTURES THROUGH MY E-MAGAZINE, BLOG, PODCAST, AND ON FACEBOOK.
STAY IN TOUCH.
888-876-3399, OR TV@TRAVELSCOPE.NET.
7 KISSES.
ALL RIGHT.
WELL, I'M NOT GONNA TAKE AWAY YOUR FLOWERS.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS I LOVE TO DO WHEN I TRAVEL... >> [BOTH SPEAKING GERMAN] >> THIS YEAR, FOR INSTANCE, THERE ARE WOMEN.
>> WELL, I LIKE WOMEN.
>> [LAUGHS]
Joseph Rosendo’s Travelscope is presented by your local public television station.
Distributed nationally by American Public Television