Women take a stand and break an unwritten law at Klausjagen in Küssnacht
(Note before you start reading: This is a fictional article that was written in response to a prompt for an art school application (spoiler alert: I got in!). This text was simply a wild idea that has since become a hopeful thought /dream for what could (or in my opinion should) happen in Küssnacht. There are some truths embedded, but the club and their activities are simply an idea of what could be. Ok, enough of that. I’ll let you dive in!)
Küssnacht am Rigi is a quaint, traditional town nestled on the foot of Mount Rigi in the canton of Schwyz, Switzerland. Despite the gorgeous views of the Lake of Lucerne, Mount Pilatus, and Mount Rigi, it has not yet made it on the list of top places to visit while in Switzerland. However, once a year a coveted event in early December attracts visitors from across the globe.
Klausjagen or Klaustag has become the staple event for the town of Küssnacht am Rigi. People flock from all over the world to take witness to this spectacular event. Originating from both pagan and catholic rituals, Klaustag took on its current day form in the 1920s. The festivities focus on a parade which takes place at 8pm on December 5th each year, followed by a night out on the town. The parade includes whip cracking and hundreds of cow bells. The deep ringing of the bells drowns out all noise and vibrates through the dark streets like nothing you’ve experienced before. The sharp cracking of the whips is eerie and adds a certain spookiness. These are the pagan elements that stem from an age-old tradition of scaring away bad spirits from crops to ensure the spring harvest will be bountiful. Between the whips that lead the parade, and the drowning of the bells at the rear, there are the catholic elements that have been added over time: illuminated, beautifully decorated bishops hats mimicking stained glass windows, and Santa himself, accompanied by his helpers called “Schmutzli”, dressed in black robes and carrying jute bags full of treats.
The event is a highlight for the town and deeply engrained in tradition. Young boys can’t wait to be old enough to participate in the big parade and look forward to the day they can carry their own Yffele (bishop’s hat) or Trychle (cow bell) through the streets to be part of this special day, just as their fathers, uncles, and grandfathers have. The dark side of the event, and the larger issue that has been brewing for years: there is an unwritten law forbidding women to participate in the parade in any form whatsoever. Furthermore, the statutes of the governing body ban women from officially joining the entity. There have been isolated incidents where women have snuck into the parade and participated, knowing fully well the unwritten punishment, if caught, is to be forcefully thrown into the freezing lake.
That all changed in 2024 when a few hundred women from all over Switzerland came together to take a stand and break the unwritten “men only” rule by walking in their own parade. The founder of the movement is a woman who grew up in Küssnacht am Rigi herself, and has admired the beauty and excitement around Klausjagen since she moved to the town when she was 8 years old. Anna always wanted to participate but was continuously told she could not by her peers, teachers, and relatives. As a teenager she heard a story about her late aunt who had participated in disguise. That gave her the push to do the same. She wore her brother’s clothes, put a cigar in her mouth, and joined the parade, flanked by her father and boyfriend for protection. Although she was not found-out and thrown into the freezing lake, having to go in disguise with a good amount of fear is not how she wants to participate. In an exclusive interview Anna told us “Anyone from Küssnacht am Rigi should be allowed to take part in this amazing parade honoring our town's history, regardless of sex or gender.”.
To take matters into her own hands, Anna formed “Frau Chlaus”, an organization in opposition to the men's only “Klausengesellschaft”, the governing body of the parade. The official motto of Frau Chlaus is “Mier Wennd, Mier Chönd, Mier Tüend” which translates to: we want, we can, we will. Anna stated it took quite a while to get the ball rolling but is happy to report that the club now boasts over 700 like-minded members who want to encourage both past and current female residents of Küssnacht am Rigi to stand up for their right to be part of something so unique and important to the town’s history.
For their first takeover in 2024, the women wanted to bring awareness to the issue by simply offering their own parade - for women only. Members and non-members of the Frau Chlaus organization gathered early in the evening for a pre-parade dinner (just as the men do). All wore the traditional clothing and were equipped with either a whip, an Yffele, or a cow bell. At 7:15 pm, an hour prior to the men’s parade, the women began their own parade, starting at the Queen Astrid Chapel - a commemorative chapel constructed for the late queen Astrid of Belgium, who died in a car crash in Küssnacht back in the 1930s. The location was chosen due to logistics, but more importsntly, for its historical significance. “Queen Astrid was known to be a very kind, empathetic person who dedicated herself to social causes supporting women. What better place to start our Frau Chlaus parade than with the spirit of Queen Astrid?” Anna said. The route continued on from the Chapel towards town, and circled around the main square before heading to the train station, where the group ended for the evening. Using part of the official route caused confusion and a general buzz in the crowds, but for the most part the spectators were in awe of so many women gathering for their own version of the Klaustag parade. “We didn’t know what was going on. We knew it was too early to be the real deal. Then, we noticed it was all women!” Mr. Göldin said. His teenage daughter was so excited, she told her father she’d be participating in the women’s parade the following year. However, not everyone reacted with excitement and awe. There were, as expected, quite a few negative comments made along the route and some women even reported having beer cans thrown at them. But, for the most part, it was a peaceful way to take a stance and encourage girls and women to express their desire to be part of the local tradition.
It is unclear how many women will join for this year’s Frau Chalus event. Especially since the format will differ from 2024. This year, the women plan to join the official parade. Although Frau Chlaus organizers reached out to the Klausengesellschaft to find a way to peacefully combine the two parades, the majority of men were not on board and voted to uphold their rule of not allowing women to join their organization and the parade. The women are aware that their plans carry certain risks, but are adamant in following through. Frau Chlaus organizers have put some safety measures in place: two mobile infra-red stations will be set up near the lake in case anyone is thrown in and a number of women will be wearing neoprene suits. Additionally, the Frau Chlaus organization secured a number of off-duty female police officers to join and be able to intervene if necessary. Furthermore, local police have been notified of the takeover and will be there to keep the peace.
Whatever the outcome, Anna hopes that by attending the parade, Frau Chlaus will not only encourage more women to take part in Klausjagen each year, but also be a catalyst for discussion in other municipalities with other traditions that restrict participation by women. “We can be just as proud and supportive of our culture and traditions as men. Let’s celebrate together as one. Because like it or not: “Mier Wennd, Mier Chönd, Mier Tüend”.”
