Event of the year in Geneva

The Escalade, invasion plan

I heard from natives that this celebration is one of the most important ones in the city, it is called Escalade (like in 'climbing').

It starts one weekend before the Dec 12th with a race in the Vieille Ville of Geneva, where serious runners and also disguised runners go to run.

The main time of the celebration is on the night from Dec 11th to Dec 12th. Why? Well, everything started in 1602 with Charles Emmanuel, duke de Savoy (one of the french regions right besides Geneva). He was a duc whose ambition didn't have any limits and he decided to surprisingly invade Geneva with his army and like this save its people from heresy.

Late at night they prepare in Plainpalais to climb the city with portable stairs and arms when a group of Swiss soldiers coming from the Monnaie gate (which can be visited only by this time of the year) interrupt them! Meanwhile they fight, a soldier (Isaac Mercier, who became famous) shoots his arquebus and the alarm is given, the bells in the Temple of St. Pierre start to ring and all citizens wake up and go to fight.



According to Genevois legend, Catherine Cheynel, originally from Lyons and the wife of Pierre Royaume, ("Mère Royaume"), a mother of 14 children (wow), seized a large cauldron of hot soup and poured it on the attackers. The Royaume family lived just above the La Monnaie town gate. The heavy cauldron of boiling soup landed on the head of a Savoyard attacker, killing him. The commotion that this caused also helped to improve the townsfolk to defend the city.



After losing, the Duke of Savoy was obliged to accept a lasting peace, sealed by the Treaty of St. Julian in July 12, 1603, and forget the fact that his trial to end up the influence of Calvin (died 1564) was over. The Escalade was from that time onwards destined to become a symbol of the independence of Geneva, celebrated since every year.

Now you might be asking, why is it so important they celebrate it? Well, think about it. If the French would have won:
1. Geneva would be capital of Savoy region (a very different European map!) and;
2. it would be Catholic instead of being this strong Protestant city it has been since Jean Calvin lived and made this city the Reform head quarters.
3. Another consequence, this one economical, was that some of the more financially-minded Protestants, feeling safe in the haven of Calvin’s city, set up Geneva’s original private banks!

Escalade celebrations include a large marmite (cauldron) made of chocolate filled with marzipan vegetables and candies wrapped in the Geneva colours of red and gold. It's customary for the eldest and youngest in the room to smash the marmite, while reciting, "Ainsi périssent les ennemis de la République! " (Thus perish the enemies of the Republic).




we have to make our own video with our own Marmite!

Other traditions include mulled wine and a large serving of soup, and children in Halloween-like costumes singing Escalade songs for money. And, of course, people disguised in clothes from that time go in procession around the Old Town role playing the important events of that night.