This system makes naturalisation a tedious and embracing process. On the other hand, it allows special traditions for citizens of a community that are not open for people who just live there. I live in Zürich, but I'm a citizen of Märstetten, which coincidentally happens to be my place of birth.
Märstetten has one of these traditions that is celebrated on Hilarius's day, which is today - and hence is called Hilarius. Today's celebration goes back to the naturalisation of citizen in 1860, who liked to show his appreciation by inviting all (male) citizens to a dinner with sausage, bread and wine. And that how it's still celebrated on January 13th in Märstetten with free Salzisse sausage, bread, a bottle of Bachtobel wine and a wheat flour soup at midnight.
4 comments:
I recognise that sausage! I peeled one of my very own for dinner last night and it was delicious! Thankyou!
I love traditions, even though they can be confusing sometimes. Yours shows a dedication to all inhabitants from Märstetten who share a night together after sharing the sunshine all the year. A su salud señores!
Traditions are pretty cool - like celebrating your birthday.. So does this celebration have anything to do with Friday the 13th?
It has nothing to do with Friday, but with January 13th. Traditionally, the accounting books where closed on December 31st and presented to the citizens on January 2nd. Protestant folks did not like the Pope's command when he shifted from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. Hence, the date of the citizen assembly shifted to January 13, the Julian January 2nd.
In Märstetten, traditionally, the pastor was the head of the school assembly. Thanks to this arrangement, Märstetten did not have Catholic teachers for 200 years. This is a tradition, they do not adhere to any more.
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