How the Zug Chriesisturm was invented

What many people mistakenly think is an old custom is actually only a few years old: this is the result of Sina Meyer's matura thesis.

"I would describe myself as very interested in tradition," says Sina Meyer, pouring herself a Rivella. For her matura thesis, she had initially considered the topic of the "Klausjagd" in Rotkreuz (St. Nicholas festival), where she is involved as an Iffel carrier (illuminated decoration in shape of a bishop’s mitre), the 18-year-old reports in a café in Zug's old town. But: "On the one hand, it didn't fit in with the schedule, and on the other, I only found a few sources for it." Her supervisor Jonas Briner (History) then suggested an investigation into the "tradition" of the ‘Chriesisturm’ (cherry race) in Zug, which, until then, she had only known from hearsay.

Sina Meyer knew from her grandfather, whom she often accompanied in his hobby as a beekeeper, that the pollen from the cherry flowers can cause a reddish tinge in honey. "Apart from that, however, I didn't have much of a connection to agriculture," the Baar native explains.

In her 33-page paper, she traced in detail the origins of a tradition that is not really a tradition at all - although it is often described in the media as a "rediscovered tradition". It was not until 2009 that graphic designer and artist Ueli Kleeb instituted the race in the old town of Zug.

Publicity as part of "Chriesi activism”
According to Sina Meyer's analysis, the invention of the competition was part of a series of different actions described as "Chriesi activism" during this time, after a large number of the former cherry trees in Zug had already fallen victim to the chainsaw. The actions were intended to re-popularise this fruit, which has played a considerable role in the cherry industry in the canton of Zug since at least the 19th century.

How did she go about her work? "The beginnings of the race are extensively documented, and I was also able to speak personally with the main initiator, Ueli Kleeb," says the 18-year-old about her research. In addition, she visited the event herself, which she captured on photos. "I was particularly surprised by the short duration of just 15 minutes," the Matura student recalls.

Sina Meyer in the lower old town, where the race takes place. Next to the baskets and ladders, interested visitors will find an information board on the "tradition"             Photo: Jan Pegoraro
Equipped with ladders, the male participants run through Zug's old town
Women shoulder one basket each                         Photos: Stefan Kaiser
 

The inspiration for the invention of the Cherry Race came from an article in the Zuger Zeitung newspaper - from 1886. "In it, the author described that the local population was allowed to harvest 'their' cherry trees on the Allmend (common area) on a certain day," says Sina Meyer. Whoever put his ladder up to a tree first would own its fruit.

The reference to this newspaper report was intended to give the topic of cherry trees a "portion of historical credibility", as one reads in the conclusion of the Matura paper. At the same time - and these lines prove it - the "bizarreness" of the occasion created interest among media representatives.

Career goal: agronomist
What remains of the Matura paper? "I was impressed by the commitment of IG Zuger Chriesi and the effect of Chriesi activism: everyone now knows Zug as the Chriesi Canton."

The future of the Chriesisturm is still open. As all kinds of people and organisations such as cherry farmers, politicians or butchers publicise themselves at the event, the event has so far not provided a target for significant criticism. Sina Meyer adds:

    "The future of the race depends significantly on whether individual actors remain strongly committed to it in the future - like Ueli Kleeb."

When Sina Meyer talks about her own plans for the future, there is the impression that this work has certainly aroused her interest: in the autumn, the 18-year-old will start a shortened apprenticeship as a farmer, after which she would like to study agronomy. It’s quite possible that this is not the last time she will be dealing with the topic of Chriesi ...

Sprinting through the old town with the ladder
The "Chriesisturm" in Zug is a race that is organised every summer by the "Zuger Chriesi" (Zug Cherry) interest group. The aim is to cover a distance through the old town on foot in the shortest possible time. Men carry a ladder in pairs, while women have to carry a basket over the same distance. A few hundred interested people attend the race every year.

The next Chriesisturm will take place in the old town of Zug from noon on the 26 June 2023.