Bachfischet – a custom from the Middle Ages

«Fürio de Bach brönnt, d Suhrer händ
ne aazöndt, d Aarauer händ ne glösche,
d Chüttiger, d Chüttiger riite uf de Frösche!»

When hundreds of Aarau’s school children walk through the city chanting this verse and carrying their lovingly made colourful lanterns it must be Bachfischet time! Bachfischet dates back to a custom from the Middle Ages when it was customary to block off the town’s stream and lay it dry once a year to allow the residents to thoroughly clean the stream bed. The school children would greet the first returning waters of this vitally important stream with great delight as it crossed the town boundary, and accompany it with lanterns to the point where it flows in to the River Aare. This wonderful custom is still celebrated every year in September.