Between April 30 and June 3; Ascension DayIn the canton of Basel in Switzerland, this is a day when village citizens walk the village boundaries. Banntag means community- or town-boundary day.
Until the Reformation, Ascension Day was a time for the blessing of the fields and checking of boundary markers. The religious aspect of the day declined, and now Ascension Day, which is a public holiday in Basel, is seen as a community festival. Citizens of Basel canton, accompanied by a local official, flag bearers, and musicians, walk along the boundaries to a certain spot where the president of the town council greets them and discusses town topics. In some communities, the walk is followed by a church service and community meal.
CONTACTS:
Switzerland Tourism
608 Fifth Ave.
New York, NY 10020
877-794-8037 or 212-757-5944; fax: 212-262-6116
www.myswitzerland.com