Bloch-time in the Appenzell Hinterland
The origin of this custom is the forest owners, who thanked their workers with a gift of a fir tree, called Bloch. Today, on Bloch Day, a tree trunk is pulled through the Appenzellerland in a parade and burnt in the evening. Such parades were once widespread in various regions of Europe. In Switzerland, the custom is now only practised in the Appenzell Hinterland.
However, the parade with fire, noise, singing, sayings and various characters, such as the money-demanding "Bajassen", probably has its origins in the carnival customs of the Alemannic Alpine culture. Whereas the clothing used to be carnival-like, today it reflects various professions of the forest and Sennish customs.
Find out where the different parades take place and what distinguishes them from each other!
