Simple Pleasures

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird

I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."

George Eliot

A fascinating ability of Swiss people to create a festive mood "out of nothing". Bern, the capital of Switzerland (normally a quiet little town) had an unusual flair this morning as I approached the parliament building: streets were full of confetti and laughing people, drinking hot wine and biting into onion pies and onion sausages. 

The Zibelemärit (Bernese German dialect; English: Onion market) was full on already, first stands open as early as 4 in the morning. It is every forth Monday of November that main city's main square dresses up in colorful onion tresses and onion wreaths for the annual onion fair.

"Historical research indicates that the Zibelemärit originated in the 1850s with marmettes, farmer's wives from around Murten, coming to Berne at around St. Martin's Day to sell their produce. However, a persistent local legend holds that the Zibelemärit is a much older festivity. According to this legend, the Bernese awarded the people from the nearby city of Fribourg the right to sell onions in the city in reward for their aid after a fire destroyed much of Berne in 1405."*

So I took a few photos of that beautiful Monday morning, soon this very square will become a cosy skating ring, with music and hot chocolate but let's enjoy the last autumn sparkles.

Love,
AB  

*Source: Wikipedia