The first ...

People have their first tooth, their first step, their first love...

This was Rick's first Escalade, the celebration of the defeat of the surprise attack by the Duke of Savoy's troops in Dec. 1602.

Legend has it  that Catherine Royaume, ("Mère Royaume") heard the soldiers climbing the walls of the city and poured a large cauldron of hot soup on the attackers. It killed the soldier whose head met with marmite. It gave the city just enough time to get their weapons and fight them off.

Eighteen people died and their names are read out as part of the commemoration. During the second weekend of December, Geneva goes back in time.

Some photos...

Children participate too. The entire weekend is run by volunteers that are part of www.1602.ch/  and it's free and totally non commercial. Some of those in costume might ask for loose change to help toward the purchase of their costumes.

Old crafts such as stone cutting are demonstrated.

Drum and fife march through the old town, there are cannons shot off, demonstrations with spears and a parade of 800 people including horsemen.

Stands sell vin chaud and hot soup although no marmites are dropped on anyone who might be French.

The pride in the patrimony, the knowledge of the history.

Although this wasn't my first Escalade, what fun to discover it again through another's eyes.