Chalandamarz in Zuoz

On Friday 28 February, the boys (and most likely you too!) are woken up with loud bell ringing from 03:00 (clamer oura). At 07:00, the traditional parade begins on the village square. At 12.45 pm, the horse-drawn carriage ride to Madulain is prepared in front of the Hotel Crusch Alva, starting at 1 pm.

On 1 March, the schoolchildren once again parade from house to house early in the morning in peasant blouses, pointed caps and traditional costumes with bells and whips and sing Chalandamarz songs. From (around) 11:00 a.m., the crowning finale is the whip-cracking on the school square!

This custom of pagan origin was once used to invoke fertility (fountains), to drive away the winter spirits of the previous year (noisy cowbells, whips) and to test the young men for mercenary service (line-up according to bell and body size).

Programme

Friday, 28 February 2025

- 00:01: Whip cracking in front of the Plantahaus on the village square
- 03:00 am: Bell ringing
- 07:00 am: Start of the traditional procession on the village square in Zuoz
- 12:45 pm: Preparation for the horse-drawn carriage ride to Madulain in front of the Hotel Crusch Alva in Zuoz
- 13:00: Start of the horse-drawn carriage ride to Madulain (Hotel Crusch Alva, Zuoz)

Saturday, 1 March 2025

- 07:30 am: Start of the traditional parade on the village square in Zuoz
- approx. 11:00 am: Crowning finale - whip cracking on the school square in Zuoz