SWISS Traditions

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SWISS Traditions The fine flavour of tradition

SWISS Traditions is designed to familiarise our non-Swiss passengers with the historic and traditional highlights of our home country, in the tastiest way possible.

Over the course of the year we’ll observe a series of four national traditions with a culinary treat. You will enjoy specialties associated with the current event. Each of the four meals will be available in SWISS Business on selected inbound flights for one week.

SWISS Traditions in February – Chalandamarz, Graubünden

Over the course of the year we celebrate a series of national traditions with culinary highlights. From 20 February to 5 March 2013 SWISS will celebrate the historic event “Chalandamarz” by serving special dishes in SWISS Business on selected flights within Europe.

The end of winter begins on the 1st of March

The name of this boisterous custom in Canton Graubünden means “first of March” – which during Roman times marked the beginning of a new year. Today, schoolchildren parade through the villages of the Engadin region, Münstertal, Oberhalbstein and Albulatal. As they make their way through the village streets they sing and clang large bells in order to drive winter away. The tradition has some characteristics reminiscent of “Fasnacht”, Switzerland’s Shrovetide carnival tradition – but there are marked regional differences – circling the village fountain, for example, or the loud cracking of whips. The tradition has enjoyed widespread recognition ever since the publication of the beloved children’s book “Schellenursli” (A Bell for Ursli) by Alois Carigiet and Selina Chönz.

In this spirit, on selected flights within Europe we’ll be serving you a tasty platter of Graubünden-style dried meat, "Chalandamarz" beef filet strips with "capuns" and red cabbage, or "Bella Poschiavina" noodles. For dessert: a walnut mousse with fresh grapes.

SWISS Traditions in January – Belle Epoque, Kandersteg

Over the course of the year we celebrate a series of national traditions with culinary highlights. From 9 to 22 January 2013 SWISS will celebrate the historic event “Belle Epoque“ Kandersteg by serving special dishes in Business Class on selected flights within Europe.

Belle Epoque, Kandersteg

During the era known as the Belle Epoque (circa 1900) European culture, business and society flourished. One-time inns were expanded into hotels as more and more people became enthusiastic about travel and many forms of winter sport became established, many of which remain popular today. From 20-27 January 2013 the alpine resort of Kandersteg will revive sporting and cultural highlights dating from the Belle Epoque. You can already look forward to the culinary highlights that SWISS will be serving on board in this event context. In this spirit, on selected flights within Europe we’ll be serving you organically farmed sturgeon and salmon tartar with "Belle Epoque" salad, or "César Ritz" filet goulash with Mont d’or potato and Clamart tomato. For dessert: "Charlotte Royale" with pineapple.

SWISS Traditions in December 2012 – Fête de l'Escalade, Geneva

Over the course of the year we observe a series of six national traditions with a culinary treat. From 5 to 11 December SWISS will celebrate the historic Geneva event “Fête de l’Escalade” by serving special dishes in Business Class on selected flights within Europe: either a cold meal with smoked salmon, potato/leek quiche and fennel salad or, on longer flights, a hot meal with Geneva-style chicken ragout or Swiss potato/chard gratin. For dessert, Swiss cheese and a gingerbread mousse with orange sauce will be served.

Fête de l'Escalade

During the night of 11-12 December 1602, the Duke of Savoy’s army attempted to recapture Geneva – but the assault on the city walls was repelled by the citizens within. An annual procession featuring historic costumes and torches takes place in the old town to commemorate the successful defense of the city’s freedom. On 11 December the city will again mark the occasion of “l’Escalade”, its major civic occasion.

SWISS Traditions in October 2012 – Castagnata, Ascona

From 3 to 9 October we’ll be celebrating a typical festival of the Ticino region by serving special dishes associated with the occasion on selected European flights in SWISS Business: a tasty Ticino platter, brasato (braised beef) with polenta and snap peas or vegetarian pumpkin risotto with porcini mushrooms. For dessert a marroni mousse with plum jelly.

Celebrating the versatility of the sweet chestnut

For centuries, sweet chestnuts served as the primary source of food for the people of Ticino. Today in this part of Switzerland, autumn festivals called «castagnatas» are held to celebrate the many possible uses of the fruit of the chestnut tree: from roasted marroni to chestnut honey, jam and cake, as well as warm gnocchi, polenta, and refreshing beer. One of major chestnut celebrations this year takes place on 6 October in Ascona on Lake Maggiore.

SWISS Traditions in August 2012 – Schwägalp Schwinget

From 15 to 21 August we’ll be celebrating a colourful Alpine wresting festival by serving special dishes associated with the occasion on selected European flights in SWISS Business: a cold platter, traditional pasta with ground beef, and rösti with sliced apples and Gruyère cheese. For dessert, an appealing peach/vanilla compote with raspberries is served.

Alpine wrestling at Schägalp

SWISS Traditions in June 2012 – Yodelling festival in Schwarzenburg

SWISS colourful “Schwarzenburg” by special dishes

In June we’ll be celebrating a colourful yodelling festival by serving special dishes associated with the occasion on selected European flights in SWISS Business: veal bratwurst with onion sauce and Swiss-style hash brown potatoes, Alpine-style macaroni or a traditional platter with cold cuts.

Yodelling festival Schwarzenburg

From 15 to 17 June 2012 some 30,000 participants and guests transform the Bernese village of Schwarzenburg into a mecca for yodellers, alphorn players and practitioners of flag-tossing. Fostering these timeless customs in this way serves as a lovely contrast to hectic modern life and demonstrates just how deeply these cultural values remain rooted in communities around the country. The festival motto of "celebrating together side by side" says it all.

SWISS Traditions in April 2012 – Zurich Sechseläuten

Zurich’s colourful “Sechseläuten” by special dishes

Between 11 and 17 April we’ll be celebrating Zurich’s colourful “Sechseläuten” by serving special dishes associated with the occasion on selected flights in Europe: Zurich-style veal and “Böögg”-style dessert.

The Sechseläuten

The people of Zurich bid farewell to winter with great fanfare. The annual burning of the “Böögg”, a snowman symbolising the cold season, is held in the city centre. The logic behind this ritual is simple: The quicker the snowman’s head explodes, the finer the coming summer promises to be. Mounted guild members riding in precise formation circle the burning figure until the explosives complete their mission. This year, April 16 has been set as the day the “Böögg” meets his fiery end.

SWISS Traditions in February 2012 – Basel Fasnacht (Carnival)

February is all about Basel Fasnacht (Carnival). Between 22 and 28 February we will serve our SWISS Business passengers typical specialities of the Basel Carnival. Enjoy Basel’s famous “Mehlsuppe” (flour soup), onion quiche and a "Läckerli" mousse for dessert.

The Basel Carnival

At exactly 4 a.m. on the first Monday after Ash Wednesday the city of Basel celebrates for 72 hours non-stop. The biggest carnival in Switzerland, referred to locally as "die drey scheenste Dääg” (the three most beautiful days) transforms the city center into a giant party zone.

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