A souper Swiss spectacle

{ IN GENEVA } THE FESTIVAL OF L'ESCALADE

- Kalpana Sunder

Drums, trumpets, brass bands and costumes from the medieval era explode onto the streets of quiet, staid Geneva, once a year, as citizens dress up to parade through the Old Town, recreating a historic event from 1602.

The festival of L’Escalade commemorates the Protestant city-state’s victory over an army sent over by the Catholic city-state of Savoy, in that year.

The Duke of Savoy, Charles Emmanuel, had long coveted the wealth of Geneva. After biding his time and gathering his troops, he finally launched a surprise attack on a dark December night, sending thousands of soldiers across the border, armed with ladders (l’escalade, in French) and a plan that involved simply scaling the walls and claiming the town.

The Savoyard troops had begun their 21-ft climb when an alarm was unexpectedly sounded from within.