Zibelemärit facts for kids
Imagine a super early morning market filled with onions! That's the Zibelemärit, which means 'Onion Market' in the local Bernese German language. It's a yearly market and fair held in the beautiful old town of Bern, Switzerland. This special event always takes place on the fourth Monday in November.
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The Story Behind the Onion Market
Have you ever heard a cool local legend? The Zibelemärit has one! While some history experts think the market started around the 1850s, there's a popular story that says it's much, much older.
A Legend from 1405
The legend tells us that the Zibelemärit began way back in 1405. In that year, a big fire sadly destroyed a lot of Bern. People from a nearby city called Fribourg came to help. To thank them for their amazing help, the people of Bern supposedly gave the Fribourg residents a special right. This right allowed them to sell their onions in Bern. And that's how the Zibelemärit might have started, according to the legend!
What Happens at the Zibelemärit?
As the name 'Onion Market' suggests, onions are the main stars here! Farmers from Bern are very proud of their beautiful onion braids and wreaths. They sell these decorative onion creations at the market.
Onion Treats and Fun
But it's not just raw onions! You can also find many yummy onion products. These include:
- Zwiebelkuchen (which is a delicious onion pie)
- Warm onion soup
- Tasty onion sausages
Children especially love the decorative chains made from sugar onions. They are a sweet treat!
Early Birds and Confetti Battles
The Zibelemärit starts super early in the morning, usually around 3:00 or 4:00 AM! If you go later in the morning, the narrow streets get really crowded. The people of Bern have a special word for this packed crowd: Gstungg. The market officially ends in the afternoon, around 4:00 PM. This is when a fun confetti battle begins! Mostly children join in, throwing colorful confetti everywhere. It's a super lively way to finish the day!
