Marquee, speeches and bonfires – this traditional combination for a successful August 1st celebration will not take place in many places this year either. As is well known, the pandemic is not over yet, the protective measures make social gatherings difficult.
Some congregations have therefore decided to cancel the celebration for the second time, willy-nilly. For example, forest in the Oberland. With the Corona regulations, an event “in a dignified framework” is not possible. The inconsistent weather could make an outdoor celebration impossible anyway.
Bonfire without celebration
The celebration in Andelfingen in Weinland or the one at Schloss Hegi in Winterthur have also been canceled because the protective measures would have been too costly. Many other municipalities, on the other hand, opted for a “slimmed-down” and thus pandemic-compliant variant.
In Winterthur Wülflingen, for example, the organizers do not want to cancel the entire event. They canceled the celebration with speeches and music, but the bonfire is lit.
Wind orchestra in small information
In Meilen there is a band as usual in the evening, but the community has imposed a ban on dancing because of Corona so that people don’t get too close. Instead of dancing, people sit on the bench this year.
Thalwil also adapted: after a speech by former National Councilor and Councilor of States Vreni Spoerry (FDP), Harmonie Thalwil plays there, but “in a small information”. The wind orchestra will therefore perform with significantly fewer musicians.
Zurich cancels the pageant
The city of Zurich does not want to miss the national celebration a second time either. As always, the day begins with church bells and a gun salute. Government councilor Silvia Steiner (center) then speaks at the celebration in the town hall complex. For once, however, there will be no parade and no festival with music.
Buure breakfasts are also offered on many farms this year, but with a maximum number of participants and a strict registration requirement. This is how the farmers want to prevent them from being overrun by the public.
No stripped-down version was possible for the Rhine Falls fireworks, which “in normal years” take place on July 31st. It had to be canceled again because too many visitors had crowded the Schaffhauser and Zürcher Ufer and the railway bridge.
Health director in the retirement center
Despite the restrictions, the Zurich government councilors have found enough venues for their speeches – at least those government members who really want to appear.
Construction Director Martin Neukom (Greens), Justice Director Jacqueline Fehr (SP) and Economics Director Carmen Walker Späh (FDP) are not planning any August 1st speeches. Silvia Steiner limited herself to her speech in the city of Zurich.
Finance Director Ernst Stocker (SVP) speaks in Uster, Rümlang and Oberrieden. Safety director Mario Fehr (now independent) appears in front of the audience in Bauma, Hettlingen and Hombrechtikon and health director Natalie Rickli (SVP) in Feuerthalen, Neftenbach and in the senior center Wiesengrund in Winterthur.
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