Ancient Swiss Tradition Returns to the Streets of New Glarus
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Silvesterchlausen is an ancient New Year’s celebration from Appenzell, Switzerland. St. Sylvester’s Day (called Silvester in Switzerland) is New Year’s Eve, and is still observed on the old date from the Julian calendar, January 15th.
The event is a procession through town filled with yodeling, bells, and garish costumes. The costumes, called Groscht, are nature-based and adored with bells to “ring in” the new year. Silvesterchlausen songs are a specific type of yodel, called Zäuerli. Zäuerli have no words and are filled with improvised harmonies. They are passed down without written music and are taught only by listening and singing along.
During the procession, the Silvesterchlausen performers do not speak, so please do not disturb them.
New Glarus is proud to be the first group outside of Switzerland to celebrate this festive custom.
The event will begin at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at the Swiss Center of North America, and the procession will continue throughout downtown New Glarus, ending at Tofflers Pub and Grill.
