Elgg Celebrates Centuries-Old Ash Wednesday Tradition and Vibrant Cultural Scene

Elgg, a municipality in the district of Winterthur in the canton of Zürich, Switzerland, is steeped in history and tradition. The community is currently preparing for its annual Äschli (Ash Wednesday custom) parade, a 500-year-old event, while also hosting a diverse range of cultural events throughout February and March.

Äschli: A Tradition Rooted in History

The Äschli custom, celebrated on Ash Wednesday, is a significant part of Elgg’s heritage. Originating in the pre-Reformation period, it began as musters for the local militia or mercenary forces [1]. The tradition, documented as early as 1628 in the parish priest Fasi’s book, centers around a boys’ parade [2]. The Aschermittwoch-Gesellschaft, founded in 1914 and currently boasting around 650 members, is dedicated to preserving this tradition [1].

Upcoming Events in Winterthur and Elgg

Beyond the Äschli parade, the region surrounding Elgg, particularly Winterthur, offers a rich calendar of cultural experiences:

Dance Performances

• “Notus”: Compagnie la Méthode presents a contemporary dance piece exploring connection and separation at the Theater im Gleis on February 21st [3].
• “Chora – the void as origin”: Choreographer Sofia Nappi’s latest creation premieres at the Theater Winterthur on February 17th and 18th, focusing on the role of silence and emptiness [3].

Music and Parties

• Ice Disco: A family-friendly ice disco with varied music and lighting will be held at the Deutweg ice rink on February 20th [3].
• Tribute to Music Icons: Albani-Musicbar hosts a party celebrating the music of Queen, Led Zeppelin, and other legends on February 21st [3].

Theater and Literature

• “Relax!”: The duo Dua’s play, which won the young sailor prize, explores finding joy in a stressful world at Theater Alti Fabrik Flaach on February 21st [3].
• Book Reading and Discussion: Jessica Jurassica and Olga Lakritz will be guests at the Obergass bookstore on February 19th for a reading and conversation with Aleks Sekanić [3].

Art and Architecture

• Writing Workshop: A writing workshop inspired by works of art will be held at the Winterthur Art Museum on February 17th [3].
• Presentation on City Colors: Forum Architektur Winterthur and the Gewerbemuseum will host a talk on the historical colors of the city on February 19th [3].
• Carnival Mask Exhibition: An exhibition of carnival masks from the Heinz Wissmann collection will be on display at the Rosenberg shopping center from February 17th to 21st [3].

Carnival Celebrations

Winterthur’s carnival season will officially open on February 20th with the placement of the fool’s tree and the handing over of keys to the fools, granting them control of the city for three days [3].

Elgg: A Historical Overview

Elgg’s history dates back to between 760 and 763, when it was first mentioned as Ailaghoga. Later references include Elgoue in 1166 and Elggaw in 1370 [1], [2]. In 2018, the municipality of Hofstetten merged with Elgg [1]. The municipality has a population of 3,787 as of December 31, 2008 [2] and covers an area of 15.6 square kilometers [2].

For more information on the Äschli parade, visit www.aeschli-elgg.ch.