Celebration of the Scaling: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The Celebration of the Scaling is a annual festival in Geneva Switzerland, celebration the defeat of the surprise attack by Duke Charles Emmanuel of Savoy's troop in 1602. In Geneva the festival is known as Fête de l'Escalade.

The Attack

On December 11 and 12, 1602, the forces of the Duke of Savoy and his brother-in-law, Philip III of Spain, launched an attack on the city-state of Geneva. The Geneva citizens defeated the men by preventing them to scale the wall (climb in French is escalde). The duke's 2000 plus mercenaries were beaten, hundred were killed, and the troops had to retreat.

For years, the duke coveted the wealth of the city state. When Charles Emmanuel mounted on the throne of the House of Savoy in 1580, he longed to make Geneva his capital north of the Alps and crush Protestantism. After the defeat, Duke of Savoy was obliged to accept a lasting peace, sealed by the Treaty of St. Julien of July 12, 1603.

On the night of the attack, the troops marched along the Arve River and assembled at Plainpalais at 2 in the morning. Te orignal plan was to open the gate door (by a group of commandos), and let the other troops in.

Myth says that Mother Royaume, a mother of 14 children, seized a large cauldron of hot soup and poured it on troops as they scaled the wall.

Celebrations include a large chocolate marmit filled with marizpan vegetables and candies wrapped in Geneva colors. It's custom for the eldest and youngest in the room to smash the marmit, while reciting, "Ainsi périssent les ennemis de la République! " (Thus perish the enemies of the Republic). Other traditions include mulled wine, and children dressing up and singing for money.