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GANSABHAUET SURSEE |
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Gansabhauet [cutting down the goose from a rope] is an archaic tradtion in the country town Sursee near Lucerne, central Switzerland. The yearly event takes place in front of the old town hall at Rathausplatz every year on Martini [St. Martin's day, November, 11th] at 3 pm. Young people try their skills and fortune cutting a goose from a rope. The tradition is related to the fact that interests and taxes were due on Martini day in the middle ages and farmers had to deliver 10% of their crops in town.
Cutting a goose from a rope may sound trivial, but the rules of the game are as
follows: |
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![]() Finding out where to hit |
![]() first winner 2006 |
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Usually the first participant stands no chance to cut the goose from the rope, but if he or she does a good job, the second or third one may succeed. Participants are guided out of the town hall by a member of the guild organizing the event and two drummers play until the participant has found the rope. Winners take off their blindfold on stage, the other participants return into town hall under their mask. Note that the geese are killed by professional butchers before the event begins so there is no cruelty to animals involved with this tradition. |
Sursee: Gansabhauet |
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Gansabhauet |
Hourly Intercity trains from Lucerne to Basel or Bern stop at Sursee
from the train station [Bahnhofplatz] walk straight ahead about 800 meters [1/2 mile]
until you reach the medieval town center [Rathausplatz]
Gansabhauet takes place every year on Martini [St. Martin's day, November, 11th]
at 3 pm on Rathausplatz
GPS coordinates: latitude = 47.172700, longitude = 8.109670
maps: search.ch
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Sursee Tourist Office |
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