L'Escalade

This past weekend was a local Geneva celebration dating back to 1602.  It is called L'Escalade. 

According the wikipedia article - The event is celebrating the defeat of the surprise attack by troops sent by Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy during the night of 11–12 December 1602. 

Thanks to blogger Catherine P. for giving me the links from my previous post on the mysterious chocolate pots everywhere in Geneva. I am glad I didn't miss out on this event!

Those chocolate pots represent a big pot of boiling soup a brave woman in Geneva poured on the enemies during the invasion in 1602. Families tradionally smash the pot at home during the celebration and yell: "Ainsi périssent les ennemis de la République! " (Thus perish the enemies of the Republic). Rob and I didn't partake in this particular tradition but we did spot in old town the "kettle" a woman was carrying around. 

This was a fantastic weekend long event where lots of people are involved! All of them are dressed up in period costumes and partrol around old town. There are lots of events going on in historic buildings and churches. It ended with a parade on Sunday evening with a large bonfire (the fire department set up) in front of the church. Lots of snacks and drinks are sold along with traditional vegetable soup. Rob and I made some leek potato soup at home to mark the occasion.