LA GRUYÈRE | LES PACCOTS | SCHWARZSEE | FRIBOURG/FREIBURG | ROMONT | ESTAVAYER-LE-LAC | MURTEN/MORAT 2020 FRIBOURG REGION PRESS KIT www.fribourgregion.ch Contents Traditions 3 Culinary Delights 8 Culture and History 13 Nature Lovers 18 Active Outdoors 23 Autumn 29 Winter 32 8 Culinary Delights Bénichon, how locals celebrate their harvest thanksgiving festival 18 Nature Lover 13 Across Lake Murten with the First Lady Culture and History Rich heritage, attractively straged – 2 – TRADITIONS PRESERVING FRIBOURG’S HERITAGE In Fribourg Region, living traditions are still primarily the centuries-old transhumant culture with its colour- rooted in the daily life of the locals. Their value for so- ful Alpine ascents and descents, varied crafts and cial cohesion is recognised and awareness of cultural workmanship. Catholic traditions with numerous pro- heritage is part of the school curriculum. Customs are cessions and the ubiquitous choral singing, as well also appreciated by visitors from all over the world, as historic anniversaries with patriotic and military who often witness scenes that seem to originate from connotations, are very popular. More information is a bygone age. An inventory of the living traditions available at www.lebendige-traditionen.ch. of Fribourg Region was made under the auspices www.fribourgregion.ch of the Musée gruérien in Bulle and divided into four main groups. For visitors, the emphasis is naturally on FRIBOURG CULTURE, A LIVING TRADITION Poya painting: In the Fribourg patois, the syllables “po-ya” signify the Al- May singing: On May 1st or the day pine ascent in early summer, when the cows and goats are brought to before, the children of Fribourg higher Alpine pastures. However, it is now understood to mean the visual go from house to house, singing representation of this important and symbolic event. Poya paintings have to announce the spring. Many, for adorned the farmhouse façades of Fribourg’s Pre-Alps since the early example the Gruyère youth as- 19th century and this art is still practised. This typical Fribourg rural art sociations, wear traditional cos- can be admired in the villages and in particular, on the Poya Themed Trail. tumes, namely the dzaquillon and bredzon on this occasion. – 3 – TRADITIONS MUSÉE GRUÉRIEN SHINGLE MAKER The tour of the interactive Musée gruérien in Bulle is Léon Doutaz has devoted himself completely to the an emotional journey through time. Models, scenes, traditional craft of shingle making. He is one of five films and sound sequences, from the Hutbändeli men in the canton who learnt this trade from scratch. collection, traditional costumes and old tools used Besides strength and concentration, he needs an by herdsmen, to the traditional farmhouse on a 1:1 excellent feeling for the wood to ensure that his roof scale, depict the varied cultural heritage. Tribute is, of will be in a position to control the temperature of the course, paid to the most famous ambassador for the chalet. He welcomes visitors interested in learning region, the cheese Le Gruyère AOP. more about this traditional craft. www.musee-gruerien.ch BEARDED MEN TRADITIONAL ALPINE CHALETS The “barbus” of La Gruyère pre- Alpine chalets with wooden roofs are part of the preserved landscapes of serve the transhumant traditions… Fribourg’s Pre-Alps. Six traditional chalets are situated along the 12,4 km Back in those days, shaving was hiking trail from Vounetse to the village of Charmey. Good to know: the difficult, but wearing a smart shirt wooden roofs have a lifespan of approximately 40 years. under the bredzon during festivals was a matter of honour. ALPINE DESCENT, HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR The Alpine descent is of the utmost importance for There is also a sermon, market stalls, folk music the Pre-Alpine Region. Humans and animals return to and customs. It would be impossible to pack more the valley after four months on the Alpine pastures. traditions into one day: Schwarzsee and Charmey on The festival pays homage to the herdsmen, who have September 28th, Albeuve and Semsales on October assumed a lot of responsibility for the animals and for 3rd 2020. In Jaun, the Alpine descent of the sheep cheese production. Traditional Alpine descents are has been celebrated for over 400 years. There are a feast for the eyes! The highlight is the procession over 400 animals which, upon arriving in the valley, of animals adorned with flowers and wearing their are sorted (separated) and loaded... or sold. A large magnificent bells, accompanied by proud women market ensures that no one has to go home without in their dzaquillon and herdsmen in their bredzon. souvenirs. September 23rd 2020 – 4 – TRADITIONS WOODEN SPOONS EIGHT-COURSE MENU Carved wooden spoons are one of the many traditions Once a year, the entire canton of Fribourg celebrates of La Gruyère. Herdsmen were making them at the a Bénichon, the harvest thanksgiving festival that also end of the 17th century to ladle double cream or Soupe commemorates the homecoming at the end of the de chalet in the Gruyère Chalet. As the craft evolved, summer Alpine pasture season. The Bénichon Festival elaborately carved spoons were passed down from in Fribourg Region will take place in Châtel-St-Denis in generation to generation, like family silver. A high- 2020. This is when everyone comes home, when town quality souvenir! And even more so when it is asso- and country, locals and visitors come together. Living ciated with memories of delicious food in a Fribourg traditions may be reinterpreted, but the eight-course Alpine hut! Bénichon meal remains the same! ALPINE GAMES CHORAL SINGING Against a fantastic mountain back- Abbé Joseph Bovet (1879 - 1951) left the canton of Fribourg an extensive drop and directly by the Schwar- musical heritage. He subsequently became the music director of St. zsee: the Wrestling and Alpine Nicholas Cathedral and wrote around 2,000 religious and secular works. Games Festival is steeped in folk- Whether they are sung in Fribourg patois, in French or German, his choral lore and a major event for locals music and songs still bring people together today. and fans. ALPINE CHEESE OF FRIBOURG REGION The production of cheese in Fribourg Region dates In May 2013, the certificate was changed to AOP (Ap- back to 1115. “Les caves d’affinage de la Tzintre” pellation d’origine protégée) throughout Europe. In aging cellars in Charmey have existed since the 16th 2017, 170 tonnes of Le Gruyère d’Alpage AOP and century. Today 10,000 cheese wheels age until their 79 tonnes of Vacherin Fribourgeois d’Alpage AOP taste is perfect. The 18th century was the heyday of the were produced in the canton of Fribourg. René Kolly, Gruyère cheese industry. The Gruyère d’alpage and former cheese maker and now the President of the Vacherin fribourgeois d‘alpage produced by the Fri- Cooperative of Alpine Cheese Producers, personally bourg Cooperative of Alpine Cheese Producers were guides interested visitors through the Tzintre cheese awarded the national quality certificate AOC (Appella- cellar in Charmey. tion d’origine contrôlée) in 2001 and 2005 respectively. – 5 – TRADITIONS SOLENNITÄT MURTEN MURTEN RUN The festival that used to commemorate the victory A messenger brought the good news of the victory against the Burgundian Duke Charles the Bold in in the Battle of Murten (1476) and a Linden branch the Battle of Murten in 1476 is now celebrated as a to Fribourg. The first national commemorative mara- school festival. Uniformed cadets and girls dressed thon took place in 1933, with 14 participants. The in white with flowers parade through the Old Town. 17- kilometre Murten run is now the oldest fun run in The Solennität is an annual town festival with a church Fribourg Region. Around 13,000 runners are expected celebration, dancing, games and arbalest shooting. for the 87th event. Sunday October 4th 2020 Murten, Monday June 22nd 2020 VULLY TART PRAZ GRAPE HARVEST FESTIVAL Community-building tradition: Af- Even if Vully is regarded as the smallest of the Swiss wine-growing re- ter a night in front of the community gions, winegrowers know how to celebrate their festival in style. The lovely oven, the associations in Vully sell wine-growing village of Praz is decorated with flowers and has many the delicious, freshly-baked Vully market stalls and open wine cellars. There are children’s processions, tarts locally. marching carnival bands and fanfares, while wine and life are celebrated. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 18th, 19th and 20th 2020 CARNIVAL OR MARDI GRAS – WILD AND FUN The Bolz Carnival has been celebrated in Fribourg’s Society” was established in 1950 to ensure that the lower town for 51 years. The tradition is upheld with Carnival adheres to the obligatory traditions. There are colourful processions, costumes, marching carnival processions, marching carnival bands, fancy dress bands and razzmatazz in the bars and restaurants in balls and ditties. Since 1965, it has been customary the Old Town. The Carnival culminates in the spectac- to put on trial the “Füdlibürger” (petty bourgeois), who ular burning of the giant Rababou. Saturday, February represents the winter, accusing him of everything that 22nd to Tuesday, February 25th 2020. The traditional has gone wrong over the past twelve months and then Romont Carnival which takes place during the same burn him. Friday, March 7th to Monday, March 9th weekend, is a unique experience. The crazy days and 2020 nights are also celebrated in Murten. The “Mardi Gras – 6 – TRADITIONS ST. NICHOLAS FRIBOURG CATHOLIC FESTIVALS Students at the St. Michel College in Fribourg have Female mourners dressed in black (in French “pleu- been organising the St. Nicholas Festival since 1906. reuses”) and cross-bearers march through the town After a festive market, at 5.00 pm it’s time for the of Romont, singing and praying in remembrance of procession of St.