Escalade

The Escalade (from the French escalier “ staircase ”) is a historical event on December 11–12, 1602 (according to the Julian calendar, December 21–22 according to the Gregorian), when the troops of the Catholic Duke Emanuel of Savoy tried to storm the fortress walls of the free Calvinist city ​​of Geneva , but Genevites were able to repel the insidious night attack of the Catholics.

Since then, every year in early December, the Swiss city of the canton of Geneva organizes a colorful festival-festival of Escalade, dedicated to the triumph of its citizens over the enemy. The name “Escalade” comes from the French word “staircase”, since it was they who were used by the troops of the Duke of Savoy to storm the city. Ropes were also used, with the help of which soldiers climbed the walls. Nevertheless, the Genevites prevailed with the help of both their skillful artillery and the skillful use of knives. According to popular legend, the mother of 14 children was helped by the mother of 14 children, mother Roy ( Mère Royaume ), who allegedly knocked over a cauldron of hot vegetable soup from the city walls directly onto the heads of climbing enemies.

Geneva during the escalade		Genevec in costume of escalade warrior		Battle picture

Now the Escalade holiday symbolizes the solidarity of the townspeople in the face of the enemy. It is celebrated colorfully, with vivid masquerades , parades , theatrical dramatization of the events of that night, music, a torchlight procession through the streets of the old city, folk festivals at the huge bonfires that are planted on the Place Saint-Pierre near the cathedral . Traditional treats of the festival: hot vegetable soup or mulled wine , as well as chocolate warmers pots.