Chröpflimeh

Chröpflimeh singing - More doughnuts, love songs for young lovers

On the Sunday after Ash Wednesday, known as "men's carnival Sunday", groups of singers and musicians in costume gather at dusk in the old town of Zug.

It used to be customary at the stroke of midnight on Shrove Tuesday for dancing and masquerading to stop. Male dancers would then invite their female partners for something to eat, and on the following Sunday, the ladies reciprocated by serving them coffee or wine with doughnuts. Friends and relatives were informed and came to serenade the young couple in return for doughnuts and wine. As they often asked for "meh Krapfe", or more doughnuts, and the custom came to be known as "Chropflimeh".

Since World War II, the traditional costume group of the city of Zug has organised this event, arranging for groups of singers to go to the homes of couples who would like a traditional serenade and who are willing to serve doughnuts and wine from the window for the privilege.
(http://www.zug4you.ch/chroepflimeh_singing___more_doughnuts,_love_songs_for_young_lovers.html)

Zug's clock tower

I learned of this festival unique to Zug through one of the players in my tennis group. She leads one of the groups. Tom and I went to Zug and wandered around the old town following the sounds and noticing where others were gathered. We saw both of the groups that are pictured above. Obviously the photographer has a more sophisticated camera than I do and can capture better night-time pictures. 

We saw several groups, some all men, some all women and some mixed. Costumes also varied in complexity or simplicity. 

 

The group in capes serenades those on the balcony above. There is probably just one engaged couple joined by friends or family.

basket with wine is lowered from the balcony

candles at the windows signal where groups are to sing

sing here too, please

people with balloons in the back are the next group waiting to sing

 

another basket is lowered

more traditional Swiss costumes and a yodeler too!

After about an hour of wandering, we still hadn't found my friend's group, but decided to head back to the car anyway. On the way, we found her! I was very pleased. They were by far the best sounding group. They had both men and women, we heard them sing in four different languages and their pitch and musicality was far superior. Kudos to you and your group, Heather!

I am still making a point of experiencing as many Swiss festivals as possible. So far, I haven't stopped discovering new ones.