New Year and Christmas in Switzerland. Perfect Christmas in Switzerland

Knyazyan Vahe, 7th grade

The text material tells about the traditions of the Christmas and New Year holidays in Switzerland. A report prepared by a 7th grade student can be used as additional material for preparing for linguistic and regional Olympiads or when conducting extracurricular activities, for example, a week of the German language.

Download:

Preview:

Traditions and Christmas holidays in Switzerland

Perhaps holidays, like nothing else, can demonstrate the essence of national culture, its soul. Holidays in Switzerland are divided into national ones, which are celebrated by all residents of the country. National holidays, in turn, are divided into religious and state. If we recall that Switzerland is a confederation uniting 23 cantons with a rich history under its flag, then it is not surprising that each region has its own local holidays. In addition, the strong influence of French, Italian and German cultures determined the unique flavor that is inherent in every celebration.

They say that if you take a little Germany, add a fair amount of France and a little bit of Italy, you get Switzerland. Probably, Christmas here should be so average European, Switzerland is distinguished by a variety of unusual Christmas and St. Nicholas traditions: after all, this country is extremely multinational. There are French, German and Italian regions, each of which has preserved its own ways of organizing holidays and feasts, as well as its own dates for these holidays (most of them fall just in the winter). In addition, there are still many isolated mountain villages in the country that honor their traditions and do everything in their own way, in a special way. No wonder so many tourists come to Switzerland from all over the world before Christmas.

What could be better than meeting the New Year and Christmas in the snowy Alpine mountains, with clean air and numerous lakes around? Every year, Switzerland gathers hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world for Christmas. Athletes and active youth go to ski resorts, ladies do winter shopping in the local fashionable shops, and couples who prefer a calm and comfortable holiday fly to the shores of the famous Lake Geneva or stop in one of the quiet alpine villages.

Christmas markets

The festive atmosphere comes to Switzerland on November 26th. It was then that here, in the commune of Einsiedeln (German: Einsiedeln), the first Christmas market opens with gifts and surprises. A month (or even earlier) before Christmas, all houses are transformed. The streets of the cities are decorated with fluffy Swiss Christmas trees, and restaurants and roadside cafeterias begin to serve a special dish - hot chestnuts, which are considered an indispensable attribute of the holiday. Spending Christmas in Switzerland is like being in a fairy tale. Switzerland never looks so cozy as during the Christmas holidays. Many houses are decorated with festive garlands and other Christmas symbols, small installations with Santa Clauses and figures of animals are arranged on the balconies and walls of houses. Decorating houses, both outside and inside, takes a lot of money and time. What you will not meet - multi-colored garlands, and real candles, and wreaths made of natural or artificial needles, and fabulous figurines of deer, bears, snowmen ... On the days before the holidays, you can wander through the evening streets - the illuminated buildings look new; admire the beautifully illuminated shop windows and take a closer look at the things you like, for which prices will collapse after the holidays.

In December fairs open already everywhere. The largest Christmas market Marché de Noël de Montreux takes place in the city of Montreux (fr. Montreux) from November 26 to December 24. Here you can taste the dishes of all the cantons, that is, the regions of Switzerland - Italian, German, French.

People come here not only for shopping, but also just to have fun, to eat something tasty.

Coming to Switzerland for Christmas, one thing must be remembered: almost all this beauty disappears immediately after Christmas, and does not survive until the New Year. The Christmas story, like a real fairy tale, ends immediately after Christmas. However, warm memories from the cheerful atmosphere will warm the soul for another whole year.

In addition, those wishing to devote a couple of days to shopping should be careful: although in December until Christmas two days on Saturday, shops are open until 20 pm, and Sunday shopping is allowed by the authorities, however, during the holidays, you may encounter the fact that all shops are closed, in including at the train station.
Christmas and New Year's Eve is the busiest time of the year in Switzerland. Everyone tries to think over and organize the celebration of Christmas as carefully as possible.A month before the holiday, a wreath of branches and flowers is placed on a special table, and every Sunday a candle is placed in it.
The appearance of the fourth candle signifies the advent of Christmas.

Gifts should be bought for all relatives. If you forget someone, there is no forgiveness for you. In most cases, everyone already knows what they will give him, but everyone is hoping for a miracle. Most of all, the Swiss appreciate "handmade" gifts, which you can make yourself or buy at one of the Christmas markets. Thanks to the Christmas market, the cities take on a truly fabulous look. In the city, I set up a Christmas tree, decorate the fairgrounds with garlands, sell Glühwein (mulled wine) and Guetzli (Christmas cookies). To feel the spirit of Swiss Christmas, you should definitely go to the Christmas market. Here you can taste delicious national dishes from all over Switzerland. From the pickles, you need to try the "originally Swiss" pates, from the sweets - Christmas cookies. All over Switzerland in December they sell figures made of dough, which in the French part are called Christmas men, and in the German part they are called gritibans. If you want to try a real Swiss Christmas treat, then bake a gritinbanz (Christmas man) in one of the many bakeries that invariably hold master classes in baking them. Lucerne is especially famous for its gritibans. There is a bakery that operates a bakery school. Of course, not only Christmas men are taught in it, but December is their time.

Once upon a time, the gritibans made different types - some depicted Santa Claus, others depicted Christmas elves or gnomes, but those days are long gone.

For children, going to the Christmas market is a real treat. They are necessarily taken to the workshop of Santa Claus. Children in it help Christmas elves, make toys themselves or draw postcards. Not for himself, but for his peers from poor countries.

Children get a lot of unforgettable impressions helping Santa Claus and his elves make toys and paint cards in the workshop.

At the fairs, you can buy everything your heart desires on Christmas Eve. These are handmade glass balls, blown right in front of you, and wooden puzzle toys, and a variety of sweets and pickles that you can buy after the holidays, but not so expensive, and a bunch of all sorts of “absolutely necessary” things in the household that can successfully collect dust for the next 10 years. From 8 to 23 December, a Christmas market is open in the old part of Zurich. Here, on the main cobbled street of the city of Niederdorfstrasse (Niederdorfstrasse) and on the Hirschenplatz square, the most skilled craftsmen and artisans from Switzerland and neighboring countries show their goods. Zürich Christmas Market is considered one of the oldest fairs in the world.

Fairs are not only a place where gifts and souvenirs are traditionally bought. This is a place where people have fun. These are exhibitions, performances and concerts. Here you can treat yourself to chestnuts and Gutzli cookies made from various doughs in the form of stars, crescents and bells.

If you come to Zurich for Christmas, be sure to walk along the Bahnhofstrasse, which also dresses up in garlands for this holiday. It is worth noting that the tradition of hanging such illumination on the main street of Zurich has been going on for decades, but all attempts to make any changes run into misunderstanding on the part of conservative Swiss. The city authorities tried to offer something new, but this initiative was not supported by the Swiss. They write to the newspapers, demanding that everything stay as it is.

Despite the fact that Zurich is a city of sedate bankers, prudent businessmen and ambitious politicians, during the Christmas holidays the city turns into a fairy tale come to life. Here, Santa Claus roams the streets with a bag on his back, and adults and children vied with each other to sing a Christmas carol to him, trying to get a surprise, a tram runs along the embankment, which is ruled by Santa himself, and angels distribute tickets to small passengers (children under 10 are allowed to ride on a tram). years). The tram is one of the favorite modes of transport in this country. Walks strictly on schedule, quickly, conveniently. It is so convenient that even angels and Santa Claus ride the tram, leaving their sleighs. True, only once a year - around Christmas, and only on one tram - a magical one. It departs from the central square every twenty minutes. He drives a magical Christmas tram, angels sing Christmas songs to child passengers and tell magical stories. There are no tickets for adults on this route, they are never allowed on the magic tram.

Houses and shop windows decorated with magnificent garlands, figurines of fabulous animals and Santa, unique illumination - all this creates an unusual atmosphere of approaching a fairy tale. The central street of the old town - Bahnhofstrasse is traditionally decorated with vertical shining lamps imitating the play of the northern lights, long garlands of more than 20 thousand light bulbs. The main decoration for Christmas in Zurich is a 15-meter fir tree, decorated with thousands of exclusive Swarovski crystals, installed at the Zurich Hauptbahnhof (Zurich Central Station), and a singing fir tree, towering on Werdmuhleplatz square.

Particularly beautiful is the small street Rennweg, going up the hill from Bahnhofstrasse, as well as the little Augustinergasse, next to the Augustinian church, where, in addition to a number of pretty bay windows, charming stars are added. The most charming is the Rennweg, which branches off from the Bahnhofstrasse. It is decorated with thousands of vertical garlands with light bulbs, creating an incredible feeling of space. Many streets are complemented by small wooden houses-tents decorated with spruce branches, where you can buy a popular winter delicacy - roasted chestnuts. It is the smell of roasted chestnuts that gives that unique charm to walks in winter Zurich.

Popular Christmas gifts from Switzerland

The most popular souvenir from Switzerland is chocolate. It can be in the form of round sweets, sets of chocolates of various shapes with various fillings or tiles. Teuscher brand chocolate is the most popular among the Swiss themselves. It is quite expensive in terms of cost, one hundred grams of such a delicacy will cost about 8 francs. Toycher chocolate is sold in branded shops that can be found in any city. In Zurich, for example, many chocolate shops are located on Bahnhofstrasse, which also offer chocolate from well-known brands such as Nestle, Frey, Spruengli, Lindt and others.

Another popular souvenir from Switzerland is aromatic cheese. In Swiss stores, it is sold in any form: by weight, in assorted souvenir sets, cut and in other forms. A small set, for example, of four types of cheese will cost about 5 francs.

A large selection of cheeses is presented at the weekly fair, which is organized every Wednesday at the station in Zurich. In addition to cheeses, it offers a large selection of homemade sausages. Since November 25, such a fair has been operating on a permanent basis. It is considered the largest Christmas market in Europe. At this time, over 170 stalls decorated with Christmas wreaths and garlands are located around the magnificent Christmas tree decorated with Swarovski crystals. Private manufacturers and representatives of well-known brands offer their products daily. From Monday to Friday, the fair is open from 11:00 to 21:00, and on weekends from 10:00 to 20:00.

One of the nicest souvenirs that you can bring back from Christmas Switzerland is a natural wax candle that you made yourself. You can get a master class in candle making and make yourself a gift in one of the tents at the Christmas market. The atmosphere there is indescribable: it smells of honey, there are containers with melted wax, there are molds on the tables, white strings are hung on the walls.

Another souvenir most often taken away by tourists from Switzerland is a watch. The largest number of shops where you can buy Swiss watches are located along the Bahnhofstrasse. Such a souvenir in the area will cost approximately 70 - 110 francs.

The famous Swiss gingerbread can also be a wonderful souvenir. Their cost is very different and depends on the size, manufacturer, composition, packaging and other factors. A large gingerbread man, for example, will cost about 7 francs, and a 500-gram set of small gingerbread will cost 13-17 francs.

Souvenirs often bought by tourists are ceramics, magnets, knives, magnets depicting the sights of Switzerland and others. Their great variety, especially on the eve of the New Year and Christmas, is offered by the souvenir departments of almost any more or less large store. The most popular place for avid shoppers, for example, in Zurich is Bahnhofstrasse. Here you can find a huge variety of exclusive items that will remind you of the fabulous days spent in this wonderful country.

St. Nicolas day

Traditionally, a series of holidays in Switzerland begins on December 6, from the day of St. Nicholas. Samihlaus (Saint Nicholas) comes to the children on the 6th of December and gives mostly sweets, but his figurines climbing the drainpipes or looking out the window, or chasing his faithful deer / donkey can be seen for a month. Samichlaus wears a red hooded coat and has a long white beard. On the evening of December 6, he comes to visit the children, unless, of course, the parents took care of this in advance and invited him. He comes not with the Snow Maiden, but with a terrible black man. This is Shmutzl. It is believed that Santa Claus gives gifts to good children, and Schmutzl punishes bad ones. The Swiss Santa has a book that records who behaved like himself during the year. But usually Schmutzl doesn't have to punish anyone. It’s not that all children in Switzerland are good, it’s just that it’s not customary to remember bad things on a holiday.

Like here in Russia, children read poems to Santa Claus, after which he gives them gifts and gives them mostly sweets.

Santa and Schmutzl also visit schools and kindergartens, and bring with them a big bag full of nuts, tangerines, cookies and other sweets. For this meeting, the children prepare special poems about Samichlaus, which they recite and sing for Samichlaus for a fee. Samichlaus and Schmutzli also have rods with them, with which they are going to punish bad children, which in fact never happens. In the past, naughty children were often threatened that Samichlaus would take them into the forest in his sack if they did not obey. Today Samihlaus for all children is a kind grandfather who brings gifts. In the Italian part of Switzerland in the canton of Ticino, on the eve of Epiphany, a female Saint Nicholas appears - the old woman Befana (distorted from Epifania), and in French-speaking Switzerland - the old woman Shosh (Chauche-vieille). On the evening of December 5 in Ticino, children hang out socks in anticipation of gifts, which the next day they will find filled with either sweets (for obedient children) or pieces of coal (for naughty children).

Adults and children are amused by the annual swims of Santa Clauses who have not lost their sports form. The competition usually takes place on December 6 on Lake Zurich. For winter fun, a huge free skating rink is prepared on the lake for the holidays, and performances of the Conelli Circus are held on the ruins of the city fortress. On the evening of December 25, in honor of the arrival of Christmas, the lake is illuminated by millions of lights of spectacular fireworks.

In the Catholic regions of Switzerland (especially in the canton of Schwyz), a tradition called the Chase of St. Nicholas (Klausjagen) is celebrated on December 5th. Men dressed in long white cassocks carry huge mitres on their heads in the dark. These very bulky structures weighing 25 kg or more cannot be called headdresses. Meanwhile, they are used in this capacity. Lighted candles are placed inside these giant episcopal miters. Saint Nicholas was a bishop - hence the miters. In the dark, fire shines through their patterns and the illusion of church stained-glass windows arises. Some of these headdresses are over 100 years old. People in luminous mitres solemnly, as befits bishops, move around the square. And then the music comes on. It is, surrounded by a noisy retinue of torchbearers, that Saint Nicholas himself appears, followed by the musicians. Everyone blows a huge horn. The procession is closed by a group of townspeople dressed as shepherds. In each hand is a large cow bell. Clicking whips, ringing bells, trumpet sounds of horns scared away evil spirits here even in pagan times. Subsequently, this ceremony became part of the Christian holiday. To see this holiday in all its glory, it is worth visiting the town of Küssnacht, which is located on the shores of Lake Firvalshtet, where the borders of four cantons meet at once. People from all over the country gather at Klaus-jagen, more than 20 thousand people come to take part in the procession in honor of St. Nicholas .. German, French, Italian speech sounds. The traditions of these three European peoples in Switzerland are so intertwined that it is no longer possible to separate them from each other. After the parade of participants, the saint himself appears, and next to him is a thunderstorm of naughty children - Schmutzl. It is worth noting that it is on this holiday that Santa Claus, aka St. Nicholas, distributes gifts to Swiss children, and not at all on Christmas, when all the action takes place around the baby Jesus. On the streets of Switzerland, Santa Clauses walk around handing out sweets to children and adults. Next to them is the terrible scarecrow Schmutzli (German: Schmutzli), which hunts for bad children.

For St. Nicholas Day in Switzerland, gingerbread men are prepared. Due to the advent of Christmas, however, the dough from which the figurines are baked has very little to do with real gingerbread dough.

Leisya, song

A few weeks before Christmas in Basel, which is located in the north-west of Switzerland and borders Germany and France at the same time, Christmas markets, festivals, street chants and all kinds of performances begin in the central square of the city and other smaller squares.
These days it is interesting to walk along the narrow winding streets of Basel, listening to sonorous voices coming from different corners. The sounds of one choir are combined with another standing in the neighboring square - it seems that all the singers have specially agreed to sing in the canon. This unique atmosphere is complemented by Christmas chants in churches. Anyone can join the church, regardless of religion.
The songs are sung in German or Swiss-German (which is not the same thing), they sound beautiful and solemn. It seems strange, but it is customary to reward artists with applause only at the end of the concert and never in the intervals between songs.

And in Zurich on Saturdays you can find a singing Christmas tree - this is a pedestal in the form of a Christmas tree, on which teenagers in red caps, like balls on a Christmas tree, sing Christmas songs.

Christmas cookies

The Swiss have special traditional holiday cookies for Christmas. The Swiss are firmly convinced that buying it in stores is practically a crime, only homemade is recognized. On the days before Christmas, housewives bake it according to family recipes. And all of Switzerland, as if its inhabitants have no other worries these days, conscientiously kneads the dough for hours, stands at the stove, making sure that the precious cookies do not burn. All Swiss moms have a real competition in baking. And wherever you go during this period, you will be met by a variety of cookies, and some of them are even wrapped in bags especially for distribution to guests. Typically, these gift sets include lemon crescent cookies, candied fruit, nutty pastries, and soft almond muffins. Two more elements of the mandatory program are hearts stuffed with jam, sprinkled with powdered sugar, and nuts with coconut. Also in the set there is certainly some kind of special cookie, which is prepared exclusively by this chef or this family. The number of varieties of Christmas cookies is simply incalculable. It seems that for the housewives who have spent so much time, effort and labor on cookies, at the end of this work there will be nothing sweeter than sitting in a comfortable chair, relaxing tired legs and finally tasting the fruits of their deeds. But no, cookies were not made to be eaten in the house where they were baked. It is packed in tin or cardboard boxes or in colorful paper bags and handed over to friends and acquaintances. But after all, they also spent more than one hour in the kitchen, working hard on their brand of cookies. Therefore, they do not remain in debt and, in turn, give gifts to guests. As a result, no one is left without cookies and a firm conviction that cookies baked at home are much better than those received as a gift.

Christmas

So, behind the bustle and fun, Christmas itself comes imperceptibly - the main family holiday in Switzerland, which is actively celebrated regardless of the "nationality" of the canton. Christmas in Switzerland comes on the night of December 24-25.

The Christmas tree is decorated for Christmas; toys, bells and bows for decorating the Christmas tree in every family are made by ourselves. Gifts for Christmas are given not by Father Frost or Santa Claus, but by Baby Jesus / (Christkind), a snow-white angel in a crown, before the appearance of which a silver bell rings.

Christmas begins with a church mass, taking place in all the villages and cities of Switzerland. Religious Christmas carols continue at home. Christmas in Switzerland is celebrated very calmly, without fireworks, noise and other fun. This is a family holiday, modest and unfussy. So family-run that finding a restaurant open on Christmas Eve is almost hopeless.

Families gather at home under real Christmas trees, and with real wax candles, which are lit by the head of the family. Even before the candles are lit, all gifts - beautifully wrapped, with names on attached ribbons - are laid out under the tree in neat piles. Then, after the first glass of champagne, the ceremony of giving begins. Everyone looks for their boxes, picks them up, but does not immediately open them. By tradition, you need to wait until everyone pays attention to one of those present. Then he will try to guess from whom he received this or that gift, and only then he will open it, and only after that the guests will turn their attention to the next owner of the treasured box. When the Christmas tree is lit and the gifts are sorted, a small but tasty meal follows. Traditional dishes are on the table: a variety of pates, puff pastries with meat and cheese, and for dessert - huge ringley donuts and hot chocolate. The table is rather small.

Families spend quiet old-world evenings at the festive table. The Swiss do not like the way the British and Americans celebrate Christmas - with gastronomic excesses and heavy drinking under the deafening roar of the unquenchable TV. There are no paper hats or crackers at Swiss Christmas. After the gala dinner, the Swiss as a family go to Christmas church services, regardless of whether they belong to the Catholic or Protestant branches of Christianity. On Christmas Eve in the church you can meet many people who do not attend it on ordinary days.

The Swiss work ethic also manifests itself in relation to the holidays. If two days of Christmas fall on a weekend, then no compensation for holidays in the form of time off or additional non-working days follows. On Monday, the Swiss go back to work like sweet little ones and work hard for the sake of their well-being in the coming new year.

New Year

As in all of Europe, in Switzerland the New Year is celebrated on December 31st. However, the New Year for the Swiss is nothing unusual. This is a simple homemade feast, even without gifts. The scope of the New Year in Switzerland cannot be compared with the magnitude of Christmas, when the whole country is literally seething with impatience and each city arranges something of its own. Perhaps December 31 would not even be a day off here, if not for one “but” ... And the name of this “but” is St. Sylvester. That was the name of the Pope, who lived in the III century and was able to catch a huge monster in 314, preventing the apocalypse. Since then, Catholics have been offering prayers to this saint, and the day of the death of Pope Sylvester, December 31 (he died in 336 AD), is considered a religious holiday.

Once upon a time, Christians believed that in the year 1000, the terrible serpent Leviathan would break out of the depths of the sea again, destroy the whole world, and the end of the world would come. But people offered prayers to their intercessor Sylvester, and the trouble did not happen.

It is this story that is remembered on New Year's Eve in Switzerland and carnivals are arranged in honor of the mythical characters, and the participants themselves are called Sylvester Clauses. Masquerades, which are held in every entertainment venue, are the main distinguishing feature of New Year's Eve in Switzerland. Restaurants lure the public not with gastronomic New Year's delights, but with masquerades. Although the gala dinner will be on the level. After all, Swiss cuisine is a combination of French, Italian and German cuisines.

For several days before and after the New Year in Switzerland, you can meet people in masks and different costumes. Colorful carnival processions in the narrow streets, crowds of cheerful citizens in bright costumes fill all the streets of Swiss cities. New Year's Clauses, dressed in Christmas trees and adorned with bells, roam the Swiss countryside and wish everyone all the best for the new year. They sing and dance and the villagers give them food, drink or money. It is believed that the visit of such a Klaus helps to get rid of evil spirits in the house.

The New Year's holiday in Switzerland is somewhat different from ours: on New Year's Eve, they usually do not give anything, but only arrange a festive dinner, but it is not customary to arrange a plentiful feast here. And yet, one old custom that is associated with food here is pear gingerbread, which the Swiss exchange with their friends and neighbors on New Year's Eve, and then eat it for dessert.

In some parts of Switzerland, the tradition of naming December 31 "Sylvester" has survived, so the question "What will you do on Sylvester?" means "How are you going to celebrate the New Year?". And the last one who woke up that day is called Sylvester and forced to pay a fine - even if only with sweets.

Old New Year in Swiss

Some mistakenly believe that Russia is the only country where there is a holiday with a strange name - the old New Year. In the canton of Appenzell-Outer, this holiday is repeated again on January 13, this time under the name "Old Sylvester" (Alter Silvester). In the 16th century, the inhabitants of the Protestant part of Appenzell flatly refused, unlike their Catholic neighbors, to switch to the Gregorian calendar and continued to live according to the Julian calendar, i.e. according to the old style. Just like the Orthodox, Pope Gregory XIII was not a decree for them. Appenzell Outer did not abandon the tradition of honoring Old Sylvester, even when all of Switzerland had finally switched to the Gregorian calendar.

Officially, January 13 is not a public holiday in Appenzell, but in fact most businesses, schools, shops and government offices are closed on this day. From 5 in the morning, almost all of their male residents, including children, come out into the snow-littered streets of Appenzell towns and villages in the costumes of Sylvester Claus (Silvesterklaus) of three varieties - forest (from spruce branches), evil (with ferocious masks) and good (with unimaginably high kokoshniks and a cheerful camomile in the mouth).

Sylvesterclauses

Sylvesterclauses put on masks with female or male faces, hang them on the chest and back of the botal, and lush headdresses are built on the head. These are the so-called "beautiful" Clauses. There are also ugly Klaus with demonic masks, with horns on their heads; they are dressed in coarse clothes made of skins and branches. You can also meet "forest" Clauses in costumes made of branches and leaves. In small groups, the Sylvesterclauses go from house to house, yodeling and wishing everyone a Happy New Year. Sylvesterclauses celebrate the New Year according to the Julian calendar. This tradition has its roots in 1582 when Pope Gregor XIII reformed the calendar. Residents of the Protestant canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden refused to follow this direct order from Rome, since then they celebrate the New Year on January 13th.

Herisau - the capital of one of the smallest formations in the confederation, the semi-canton of Appenzell-Ausserrhoden, where on New Year's Eve you can easily find a Christmas tree walking along rural paths, hung with heavy cow bells. A strange creature called Sylvesterclaus is a cross between Santa Claus and a mythical monster, which, as it were, was imprisoned in one of the local castles by the priest Sylvester who lived in the 11th century. Sylvesterclaus gives gifts to children - but this does not prevent him from instilling fear in the adult inhabitants of the canton.Singing "Zäuerli" (a special kind of polyphonic yodel characteristic of Appenzell), they walk through the deep snow from farm to farm, ringing cowbells to scare away evil spirits. “Going out in public” is preceded by a many-hour ritual with putting on costumes in the house of the leader of each group of 6 Sylvester Clauses, whose wife, mother or daughter prepares a very hearty breakfast for guests with the famous Appenzell spicy cheese and white wine.

Although Old Sylvester is honored throughout the canton of Appenzell-Outer, the most beautiful festival in his honor, according to experts, takes place in Urnäsch. This village of 2,000 people, located in the valley of the same name, has its own station, to which you will be taken from St. Gallen by the characteristic red carriages of the Appenzell Railways narrow gauge railway.

List of sites

1. http://focus.ua/foreign
2. http://tiptotrip.ru
3. http://www.amstel.su/country/4/info/38
4. http://www.aboutswiss.ch
5. http://zurichcity.ru/rozhdestvo-v-cyurixe/

Switzerland is unique for many reasons. Located in the heart of the European continent, it is covered by more than two-thirds of the Alps. Its population speaks three official languages, and there are legends about chocolate, watches and local banks. It is not difficult to see all the delights of a small snow-covered country. For example, buy a tour and go to celebrate Christmas in Switzerland.

Marathon, one month long

The first Christmas market starts in Switzerland at the end of November. Since then, for a month, the country has been living in special conditions: unusual elegance, shopping fuss, decoration of houses and streets, and the indispensable smile of its inhabitants. On the eve of the holiday, everyone’s mood rises, and the desire to spend the Christmas holidays in an interesting and useful way gives optimism.
The main Christmas fair in Switzerland takes place in Montreux. Chocolate and mulled wine, aromas of cinnamon and cloves, magnificent handmade Christmas decorations, famous watches and knitted accessories - all these are special signs of the approaching bright day.
Gifts should be bought in advance so as not to forget a single relative. Souvenirs made by hand by local craftswomen are in indispensable demand. However, Christmas sales in fashion boutiques also do not go unnoticed.
On the festive table, the inhabitants of Switzerland have different dishes. In some areas, the stuffed turkey is preferred, in others goose with apples or pork knee. Desserts and pastries are striking in their variety, and chocolate fondue is the most frequent dish ordered by tourists in restaurants.

Mountains can be better...

The most athletic residents of the country, young people and guests, for whom winter holidays are associated with mountain slopes, go to celebrate Christmas in ski resorts. Switzerland for the entire world community is synonymous with stability and inviolability, a high standard of living and tranquility. It is these qualities of the state that are fully inherent in its ski resorts. They have a long history, their hotels are convenient and comfortable, the tracks are well-groomed and technically impeccable, and the equipment works flawlessly.
A wonderful option for celebrating Christmas in Switzerland is an excursion to Lake Geneva, which is beautiful at any time of the year. Its quiet mirror surface reflects the gray caps of the Alpine peaks - faithful guardians guarding the peace and impeccable reputation of a small European country with an interesting history and amazing cultural traditions.

December 28th, 2013 03:26 am

In the first part of the story, I would like to show a little the city itself and its surroundings, how you can see Zurich not only during the holiday season, but also on weekdays; tell me why I love this city.

The feeling of Christmas comes already at the moment when the plane comes in for landing and neat houses, trees in a silvery haze become visible. You haven’t really considered anything yet, you haven’t set foot on Swiss soil, but you already know: something will happen today; something magical and good.
Hurrying to join the beauty, we took off from Moscow on the Swiss morning flight, which, oh, happiness, from now on is not six, but nine o'clock. Throwing off the time difference (in winter it is 3 hours), we arrive in Zurich at 11 am; and here is the whole day ahead.

In order to get from Zurich Airport to the city, it is enough to go to the neighboring building and take the train going towards Zürich Hauptbahnhof (Zurich main station).

Tickets can be bought at the box office or vending machines. For a one-time trip, a day ticket is quite suitable. We, planning a large number of movements not only around the city, but also around the country, with visits to museums, got swiss passes. A big plus of this travel card is that it covers all of Switzerland and, traveling around it, there is no need to check, true whether the ticket is in your hands.

From the ship to the ball, from the train to the thick of things - where, if not in Zurich, proud of its largest indoor fair. A magnificent fir tree, a gift from Swarovski, is installed at the main station of the city, and chestnuts are roasted around it, mulled wine is poured into mugs, gifts are wrapped in rustling paper .. Yes, it has begun! :)

And now you can see the spire of Fraumunster (Fraumünster) ..

But first things first :) The trio of the main symbols of Zurich, perhaps, will look like this: Fraumunster, Grossmünster (Grossmünster) and St. Peter's Church (St. Peter).

Whichever guide you open, you will find them everywhere. As usual, not without legends. The Grossmünster, which is said to have been founded by Charlemagne himself, distinguished himself in this regard. Further information differs, either a deer appeared to the king, or his own horse knelt at the burial place of Saints Felix and Regula. Be that as it may, the incident was regarded as a sign from above and a monastery was rebuilt on the site.

During the reformation, Gross- and Fraumünster changed course and became Protestant, which is also St. Peter.
Gross is more impressive and solid, but many will like the graceful Fraumunster, especially if we recall its beautiful stained-glass windows created by Marc Chagall. Tourists are tourists, but also many locals come to the cathedral not only to pray, but also just to meditate, to think, looking at a genuine work of art, permeated with light.

From here, from the very heart of the city, cruise ships depart on Lake Zurich.

And it would be a sin not to dedicate one of them to such a walk: to say goodbye to the swans gracefully gliding through the water, and go to admire the Alps.

Long day, fresh air .. how not to get hungry. For authentic recipes, it is better to go to restaurants in the central part of Zurich, many of which are located in the houses of various guilds.

A worthy option to continue exploring the city and traditions is Zeughauskeller. It is located on the main street of the city, Bahnhofstrasse 28A (beim Paradepaltz) and is famous for such wonderful things as a whole roasted pork leg, sausages in all sorts of options and the burgomaster's sword (Bürgermeister Schwert).

I’ll tell you about the sword :) You need to be very hungry or very greedy to order such a sword for yourself alone. It will take at least a couple of good eaters.

As soon as there are such, order and wait. Not only your order, but also the surprise of others.

The waiter will bring the real melee weapon :) Its blade is wrapped in veal and fried in this form. Further, in your presence, the meat is separated from the sword.

For a side dish, expect reshti, a traditional potato dish. In this form, as here, the reshti is a bit like a large potato pancake, but it is prepared not from fresh, but from boiled potatoes.

For dessert, take an apple pie with a nut filling and apricot jam frosting. Or order an airy, incredibly chocolate mousse. The scene obliges such a mousse to be something exceptional.
In addition, without leaving the restaurant, you can make a small gastronomic journey to Lucerne, getting acquainted with the local gingerbread (Luzerner Lebkuchen). It is prepared according to an old family recipe with honey, spices and zest. Indeed, a winter treat!

In the second part, Zurich Christmas markets, hot mulled wine, raclette and a singing tree are waiting for you :)

By the way, if you plan to celebrate the New Year in this wonderful city, then take note: on December 31, Zurich will host the largest party in Switzerland with fireworks over Lake Zurich - New Year's Magic from the Zurich Hotel Owners Association.

We know Switzerland as the most prosperous European country, famous all over the world for its watches, chocolate and cheese. What Swiss New Year and Christmas traditions are familiar to you? How do people celebrate Christmas and New Year in Switzerland? In this article I will tell you something about it.

Switzerland is a unique country. Its official name is the Swiss Confederation. Switzerland has three official languages: German, French and Italian. The regions or districts of Switzerland are called cantons, all cantons have their own constitution and, of course, their own national traditions and customs, including those related to Christmas and the New Year. Preparations for the celebration of Christmas begin on November 26 with the opening of Christmas markets throughout the country, where, until December 23-24, everyone can buy Christmas gifts, souvenirs, decorations, sweets, have fun and treat themselves to roasted chestnuts and something else tasty in numerous fair cafes. Simultaneously with the opening of festive bazaars, the streets and squares of the cities are transformed from multi-colored garlands, elegant Christmas trees, sparkling figures of fairy-tale characters and Christmas nativity scenes in shop windows and near numerous churches. In Switzerland, they do not skimp on festive decorations for Christmas, for example, the main Christmas tree in Zurich is decorated with Swarovski crystals. But all this splendor, unfortunately, will not last until the New Year, immediately after the onset of Christmas, Switzerland will take off its festive attire and put on a casual business dress. But before Christmas, the Swiss and tourists fully enjoy the sparkling winter fairy tale. The pre-Christmas time is a busy time when you need to prepare or buy gifts for all relatives, without forgetting anyone, so that there are no offenses. By the way, the Swiss value handmade gifts, and gifts are made not only by children, but also by adults, these can be hand-knitted items, home-made cards and souvenirs, and, of course, traditional Christmas cookies. Each canton has its own unique recipes for cookies. Housewives diligently bake them in large quantities before the holiday and pack them in beautiful bags and boxes to present as a gift to relatives and friends. Thus, a kind of exchange of Christmas cookies between friends and relatives takes place, and this tradition is unshakable. Even in Switzerland, the tradition of exchanging postcards with congratulations for Christmas is very common.

Sweet gifts for Swiss children, as well as for everyone in Europe, are brought by Santa Claus on December 6, here he is called Samichlaus. Swiss Santa comes to the children not alone, but with his constant companion named Schmutzl. Samihlaus is kind, he brings sweets, and Shmutzl comes with rods to punish naughty pranksters. But, as a rule, Shmutzl remains without work, all children deserve only praise and gifts. In the Italian-speaking cantons, instead of Samichlaus, the old woman Befana congratulates the children, and where they speak French, the old woman Shosh comes to the children with gifts. But on Christmas itself, which is celebrated in Switzerland on the night of December 24-25, the Baby Jesus - Christkind secretly comes with gifts and at the same time rings the bell. Christmas bells are a must-have decoration on the Christmas tree in every home. Christmas is a family holiday: relatives gather at home at the festive table, treat themselves and exchange gifts. After the feast, everyone must attend church. Even those who do not visit it during the year, at Christmas - in the church. The Swiss Christmas menu is not particularly plentiful, usually housewives prepare a variety of pâtés, puff pastries with meat and cheese, cheese or chocolate fondue; champagne on the Christmas table is a must. Christmas is such a homely, family holiday that it is very problematic to find a working restaurant or cafe on Christmas night. Swiss labor law is such that if Christmas falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the weekend is not transferred to working days and everyone goes to work on Monday. The Swiss are very hardworking, restrained and thrifty, probably they would not have celebrated the New Year at all if it were not for Sylvester's Day, which falls on December 31st. Sylvester was the name of one of the popes, he accomplished a feat and saved the world from the monster Leviathan. This holiday is celebrated in memory of this feat. Many in Switzerland identify these two holidays and call the New Year Sylvester. There is a tradition to arrange carnivals in fancy dress for the New Year and Sylvester. The participants in these masquerades are called Sylvester Clauses. In Switzerland, before and after the New Year, you can meet people dressed up in various masquerade costumes, often in a spruce costume with bells. To meet such a mummer is good luck.

And in the Swiss canton of Appenzell-Outer, as well as in Russia on the night of January 13-14, there is a tradition to celebrate the Old New - Old Sylvester. This holiday appeared after Switzerland switched to the Gregorian calendar. So we, the Russians, have allies and colleagues regarding the celebration of the Old New Year. And that's great! We are not alone!

Happy New Year and Merry Christmas!

Switzerland is a very multiethnic country, and each of its communities has its own New Year's traditions. New Year as a kind of collective concept in Switzerland is not something special and is celebrated far from being on the same scale as Christmas. Nevertheless, in Switzerland, any holiday is accompanied by festivities and colorful shows.

However, this day is still a holiday. If only because January 1 is the Day of St. Sylvester, who is very honored by the locals. According to legend, he saved the world from a sea monster that was supposed to destroy humanity. In some parts of the country, New Year's Eve is called “Sylvester”.

How is New Year celebrated in Switzerland?

Traditionally, New Year holidays in Switzerland are celebrated at home, with family. Giving gifts is not considered mandatory. Definitely set the table. A large number of dishes are not prepared, but a small feast is sure to be arranged and champagne is certainly opened. A big fireworks display announces the start of the New Year.

Young people organize noisy parties. Most places of entertainment organize masquerades. After the onset of the New Year, it is customary to go out to the city square, dance and sing. Everywhere there are thousands of lights, masks and people in carnival costumes, street musicians and artists.

In general, how the New Year is celebrated depends very much on a certain region of Switzerland and what customs are in use there.

New Year traditions and holiday destinations in Switzerland

On the eve of the holiday, many dress up in masquerade costumes.

In some regions, it is customary to celebrate the New Year also according to the Julian calendar. In those places where such a tradition has been preserved, residents walk around the streets on the eve of the holiday and loudly call good forces for help, while evil spirits, on the contrary, are driven away.

The inhabitants of Switzerland have a belief that a few drops of cream that fell on the floor on New Year's Eve bring prosperity and well-being to the owners of the house.

If the family has a chalet, then it is likely to celebrate the New Year in the mountains. Until midnight they will feast at home, and then they will go sledding and playing snowballs.

The weather during the New Year holidays is usually quite cold and snowy, truly New Year's. Due to its location, Switzerland is one of the few European countries that delight visitors with a real winter fairy tale, with fluffy snowdrifts and invigorating frost.

New Year's tours and New Year's celebrations at resorts in Switzerland

Isn't it a great idea to celebrate the New Year among the snow-capped peaks? Ski resorts in Switzerland are waiting for guests! You have a truly wonderful choice of such resorts, from small and cozy to fashionable and pretentious: the canton of Bury, Valais, Grisons, Uri.

Looking for a quiet New Year's Eve? Head to the canton of Ticino or Lake Geneva.

Came with family? A family resort awaits you in the village of Arosa, which is 170 kilometers from Zurich. This resort is not so much a ski resort as a winter one. Here - and snowshoeing, and sledding and carting, and ice skating, and SPA, and much more.

A week in the Alps will cost approximately 580 euros per person. Eight-day New Year's tours to Switzerland are offered at a price of 1,500 euros, three-day ones - from 820 euros, excluding the cost of tickets. The combination "Zurich + ski resort" lasting 10 days will cost about 1750 euros. A couple of nights in Geneva, excluding a banquet and a flight - from 300 euros per person.

What to do, where to celebrate and what to see in Switzerland?

When planning to go to Switzerland for the New Year, they usually choose either one of the ski resorts, or Zurich, or Bern. And lovers of special exotic can go to celebrate in the SPA-hotel.

Excursions and other activities in Zurich and Bern

At this time in Zurich, Bern, Geneva, and in any other cities of the country, even a simple walk around the city is a special entertainment. A cozy and festive atmosphere reigns here, medieval color is mixed with festive illumination, the aroma of hot chocolate and a childishly enthusiastic expectation of the holiday.

In Zurich, be sure to visit the Christmas market near the Central Station. There you can find absolutely incredible things that will make the atmosphere of the New Year celebration even brighter.

There you can also visit a huge number of museums and galleries, which host colorful performances and shows on holidays. From there the tours start.

Visit the Paradeplatz and the legendary Sprüngli patisserie. Walk around the Altstadt (the oldest part of Zurich).

In Bern, walk along the chain "Spitalgasse - Marktgasse - Kramgasse", visit the clock and prison towers, appreciate the highest Gothic cathedral in the country.

What to see with children in Switzerland?

If you are in Zurich, take your child for a ride on the tinkling tram, driven by Santa himself with his angel helpers. During the trip, the child is waiting for the picturesque streets of the city, fairy tales and sweets.

On the Werdmühleplatz in Zurich, there is a Christmas singing tree, and next to it are carousels, sweet shops and a souvenir market. Until the end of December, they are waiting for you at Bauschänzli, where performances of the Christmas circus take place.

In Bern, you can visit the botanical garden at Altenbergrain 21, where plants are grown in greenhouses.

In any of the cities, go with your children to a fair or market. Here you will taste local delicacies and mulled wine, listen to music, buy jewelry, gifts and souvenirs.

What are the must-dos in Switzerland during the New Year holidays?

1. Taste local wines. They are inimitable and practically not exported, so you will hardly have a chance to try them anywhere else.
2. Try gutzli cookies, handmade chocolate and hot chestnuts. Be sure to visit the pastry shop and coffee shop.
3. Buy a souvenir bear - the symbol and talisman of Bern, the capital of Switzerland.
4. If you are in Zurich, visit the singing Christmas tree and take a walk along the Bahnhofstrasse.
5. Don't ignore the ubiquitous sales that go on in Switzerland from the end of November to the beginning of February.
6. If you have time, go to the town of Lucerne - the most fabulous place in the country.
7. Having decided to celebrate the holiday in Zurich, do not miss the fireworks on the waterfront. This is the largest fireworks show in the country, which is sponsored every year by the owners of city hotels.

Conclusion

New Year in Switzerland is beautiful, snowy, delicious. Among other things, the inhabitants of this country have a real talent for making winter attractive: hanging garlands and torches, arranging street drinking of hot chocolate, surrounding themselves with warm cozy clothes. New Year's Eve in Switzerland is not the cheapest pleasure, but for those who can afford it, it pays off handsomely.