A Swiss Tradition: Scaring the Winter Ghosts

An ancient, fiery tradition hastens the arrival of spring in Switzerland.

Outside the Biel-Benken Bürgerschüre (citizen’s barn), where you can make a Fackel (torch) for your Fackelumzug (traditional springtime torch procession).

Instead of the usual Monday “Letters From Readers,” this week my good friend Benjamin Stiegeler speaks with me about an old Swiss custom called Redlischicken (“REDLI-SHICKEN”).

Benji, thanks for taking …