Chalandamarz
On the morning of the first of May, which is the start of the new year according to the Julian calendar used during the Roman Empire, all the school children parade through the village streets and alleyways to celebrate Chalandamarz. Although this custom originated as a new year celebration, today the traditional singing, cracking of whips and ringing of cow bells welcomes the coming of spring and the end of the cold, dark winter months. Chalandamarz is celebrated throughout the entire region and visitors are warmly invited to attend the parades.
Programme Val Müstair Thursday, 1. März 2018
| 8:00 - 15:00 |
Chalandamarz Lü - Fuldera - TschiervThe children meet at 8:00 am for the cow bell parade in Lü before continuing on to Lüsai and Fuldera. At 1:30 in the afternoon, the children march with their cow bells through Tschierv, where the parade finishes with singing in various locations around the village. The boys in years one to six recite the Chalandamarz poem in the different villages. |
Lü, Fuldera, Tschierv |
| 8:00 - 15:00 |
Chalandamarz Sta. Maria und ValchavaParticipants meet at 8:00 in the morning at the schoolhouse in Sta. Maria. At 8:15 they start ringing their cow bells and marching through the village of Sta. Maria. This is followed by singing in the streets and in the hospital. At 2:10 pm the children march through Valchava, where the parade concludes with singing in the streets. |
Sta. Maria, Valchava |
| 8:00 - 15:00 |
Chalandamarz MüstairIn the morning, children from kindergarten to secondary school age sing in groups in the neighbourhoods of Müstair. At 1:00 pm the children depart the Convent of St. John and ring their cow bells to drive winter out of the village. |
Müstair |
