Festivals, customs and seasons

Like the Saane/Sarine river that passes by the town, serene beauty and good taste come naturally to Fribourg. As a town of flavours and delightful charms, Fribourg is rich in diversity and international in scope, providing its residents and visitors with all of the services of a large town (education, sports, health, leisure, etc.) in a safeguarded living environment. Despite its firm orientation towards the future, the town has managed to preserve its traditions and cultural values.

For the residents of Fribourg, secular and religious festivals that have been celebrated since time immemorial punctuate the seasons.
 

An event not to be missed: the procession of St. Nicholas.

Towards the start of winter, on the first Saturday in December, young and old alike come together to honour St. Nicholas, the patron saint of the town, the canton and the cathedral, to the sound of fife and drum played by pupils of Saint-Michel College.

Another popular event is the famous “Carnaval des Bolzes” at the start of spring – an important component in the identity of the “Basse-Ville” or historic old town. Just before Lent, the carnival season with its processions, balls, satirical tracts, etc. attracts “Seppi” and other “dzosets” (a nickname for residents of Fribourg due to the earlier popularity of the Christian name Joseph) in search of some merrymaking.

A “rababou” or giant effigy is sacrificed to the flames as springtime is impatiently awaited !

Judged, condemned and burned, the “rababou” is supposed to carry away all of the town’s troubles until the next year (February/March).

Springtime brings Corpus Christi, an important Eucharistic celebration and procession, engaging civil and religious authorities as well as the town’s inhabitants. With its origin in the Middle Ages, this solemn event recalls the historical roots and privileged links between Fribourg and the Catholic world.

After the national holiday on 1 August, which brings out a wealth of flags and paper lanterns across our cities and villages, the traditional “Bénichon” celebration provides us with many joyful and delicious moments as we head into autumn (September/October). The name of this ancient festival stems from the benediction. Originally commemorating the dedication of the parish church, it coincides with the end of the harvest season. It is a special time during which city and country dwellers come together and socialise during a fabulous meal, worthy even of Gargantua, before the arrival of winter.
 

Morat-Fribourg: Fribourg’s “marathon” attracts amateurs and professionals alike.

The first Sunday in October sees the oldest footrace in all of Switzerland (since 1932): the legendary and highly popular Morat-Fribourg race attracts a mix of generations, all following in the footsteps of the messenger who hastened to announce the victory of the Swiss Confederates over Charles the Bold (1476).

As the capital of a small canton steeped in Latin and Germanic culture, and as a town with a prestigious, recognised heritage, Fribourg celebrated the 850th anniversary of its founding in 2007. Now more than ever, it is a welcoming town which is naturally open to Europe and the world.