Bénichon festival : The Bénichon or Bénichon festival is a popular festival in the canton of Friborg. It is part of the living traditions of Switzerland.
History of the Bénichon festival: In the 1731th century, the “blessing” was the patronal parish festival, therefore the village festival. The party lasted three days, with a big meal, dances and games. Subsequently, the Bénichon became the festival of harvests and the descent of the herds from the pasture (the désalpe (Rindya), which is the opposite of the Poya, ascent to the spring pasture). It was during the blessing that couples were formed. We danced and sang there, and drank the little “Vaudois white”. The old people recounted their adventures of military service abroad, and everyone spoke of the witch Catillon (Catherine Repond de Villarvolard, burned in 1746). In XNUMX, near Ependes, after a few extra pitchers of wine, there was a real battle which left one dead. The authorities then decided that all the benichons should henceforth take place on the second Sunday in September.
Dates of the Bénichon: The Bénichon generally takes place on the second Sunday of October in most municipalities in the districts of Gruyère and Veveyse as well as in Haute Sarine (Le Mouret, Treyvaux, Ependes, Arconciel, Sénèdes , Ferpicloz) and in certain communes of Singine. The two capitals are exceptions: the city of Bulle celebrates the second Sunday in September, while in Châtel-Saint-Denis, it takes place on the third Sunday in October and is celebrated with a large traditional procession that crosses the city. , with herd of cows in the lead. Elsewhere it usually takes place on the second Sunday in September. We sometimes talk about Bénichon de la plaine, or Bénichon de tous (September) and Bénichon de la montagne (October). Other exceptions exist, in particular in villages where Bénichon always takes place during the patronal feast: St-Martin, Saint-Sylvestre, Vuisternens-devant-Romont (St-Jacques). However, Bénichon can still take place on other dates: Bollion (Friborg) celebrates Bénichon on the second Sunday in July, Romont celebrates Bénichon on the last Sunday in August for the part in the ramparts (Bénichon intramural) and the 'before the last Sunday in September for the exterior of the ramparts (Bénichon extra-muros).
In the German-speaking part of the canton, the German-speaking Haut-Lac celebrates Benichon on the 1st Sunday in October, while the municipalities of Singine are mainly shared between the 2nd Sunday in November, corresponding to the feast of Saint Martin (Alterswil, Heitenried, Planfayon, Tavel, Guin, Ueberstorf, Schmitten) on the 2nd Sunday in September (St-Ursen, Flamatt) and the 2nd Sunday in October (Chevrilles, Tinterin, Saint-Antoine, Bösingen, Brünisried).
Menu and culinary specialties of the Bénichon festival : The menu traditional of the Bénichon festival is still prepared and shared today. It differs according to the villages.
- Cuchaule et Bénichon mustard
- Broth et crouton
- Boiled de vegetables - Soupe Asked cabbage - raves, carrots et celery
- Stew de mouton Asked raisins - mash potatoes de potatoes
- Dry ham smoked at the Terminal (*), sausage, language de veal, bacon, cabbage, carrots et potatoes
- Leg bylamb, mash potatoes de potatoes et pears in Botzi
- Plateau de cheese of the region (Gruyere, vacherin, etc ...)
- meringues et double cream (preferably Gruyère)
- Basket of delicious fruits
- Bricelets, curblets et anise bread
- Cups, beignets, croquet.
(*) Smoked at the Borne: La Borne, bourne, or even starfyu (depending on the valley) is a type of fireplace made of wood or with a cover. They are present in the regions of French-speaking Switzerland, Savoy (Bornes, Aravis, Val d'Arly, Hautes valleys of Abondance and Arve), northern Italy (Val d'Aosta, Val Soana).