1602

on the night of 11 December, Geneva traditionally celebrates the anniversary of a great event in its history: over 500 years ago, Geneva was an independent republic that nearby Savoie wanted to add to its territory. so they sent troops to overtake the city at night, thinking that, as everyone would be asleep, it would be easy. however, not everybody slept: the alarm was raised and the population went out to fight the invaders in their pyjamas. one woman did her important bit by throwing in the presumably warm contents of her cauldron (some sort of soup) on the assailants. Geneva was victorious.

there are many ways to celebrate this event (among others, doing a race through the old town wearing pyjamas). but the most common, i guess, is to buy a chocolate cauldron (see below) filled with marzipan vegetables at the supermarket. then the youngest and oldest people present must smash it with their clasped fists, saying something on the lines of 'And thus perish the ennemies of the Republic' and everyone then proceeds to eat the cauldron and its contents.

i grew up in the area, yet i only found out about all this about 3 years ago, and had never actually celebrated it. but tonight, a friend of mine invited us all to her place and we went through the motions (and had some mulled wine, Xmas cookies and various other things) and had a blast.