Escalade
Le fête de l'Escalade is a "cantonal" holiday here in Geneva celebrated each December. Apparently, the wily Frech Duke of Savoy broke his promises and decided to attack Geneva one cold December night. One of the men on guard saw their advance and raised the alarm. Apparently even the wife of the Captain of the guard (affectionately known as Mère Royaume) joined the fray by hauling her heavy cauldron full of soup to the pallisade and dumping its contents on the attackers followed by the pot itself.
This feat of heroism has somehow been transformed into a special tradition celebrated each year. Families gather around and the oldest and youngest person present break a chocolate "marmite" (cauldron) and solemnly repeat the following phrase: "Ainsi perissent tous les enemies de la Republic" (And thus perished all the enemies of the Republic [of Geneva]), and then they smack the cauldron into pieces.
I went out on Saturday night with my friend Andrada to see the Escalade festivities in the old downtown area. The streets were crowded and on our way up to St. Pierre, we came across a group of fife and drum players marching along in historic dress.
Further up the stairs we came across a group armed with guns from the era that were happy to take a picture with Andrada.
I jumped in the next photo with this fellow who just happens to be standing in front of the "Armory Hotel".
We eventually made it up to the square in front of St. Pierre's Cathedral. It was packed with tourists and reenacters. By the fat feather in his helmet, I imagine this gentleman is at least a captain.
We attended a special service in the church that included singing the official song that relates the events of that historic night (all 6 verses), a solemn reading of the names of all those Genevois who were killed defending their city, an excellent sermon and a trumpet fanfare.
This feat of heroism has somehow been transformed into a special tradition celebrated each year. Families gather around and the oldest and youngest person present break a chocolate "marmite" (cauldron) and solemnly repeat the following phrase: "Ainsi perissent tous les enemies de la Republic" (And thus perished all the enemies of the Republic [of Geneva]), and then they smack the cauldron into pieces.
I went out on Saturday night with my friend Andrada to see the Escalade festivities in the old downtown area. The streets were crowded and on our way up to St. Pierre, we came across a group of fife and drum players marching along in historic dress.
Further up the stairs we came across a group armed with guns from the era that were happy to take a picture with Andrada.
I jumped in the next photo with this fellow who just happens to be standing in front of the "Armory Hotel".
We eventually made it up to the square in front of St. Pierre's Cathedral. It was packed with tourists and reenacters. By the fat feather in his helmet, I imagine this gentleman is at least a captain.
We attended a special service in the church that included singing the official song that relates the events of that historic night (all 6 verses), a solemn reading of the names of all those Genevois who were killed defending their city, an excellent sermon and a trumpet fanfare.
posted by Ben at 2:16 AM
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