Zurich rowers revive 570-year tradition linking two cities

About 80 participants have set out from Zurich for Strasbourg in a five-day rowing journey that commemorates a 1456 display of alliance between the two cities, SRF reported.

The group is travelling about 235 kilometres along the Limmat, Aare and Rhine. The journey now represents friendship between Zurich and Strasbourg, as well as ties with the cities along the route.

In 1456, Zurich craftsmen reportedly brought a pot of millet porridge to Strasbourg while it was still warm to demonstrate how quickly Zurich could come to the aid of its allies. The journey is now held every 10 years.

The entire Zurich city council joined this year’s delegation at the start. Participants include members of various associations, each wearing its own costume. Severin Pflüger, who helped organise the event, wore his guild’s Sechseläuten outfit and described the atmosphere as “a little like carnival”.

Before the boats departed from Lindenhof in Zurich, visitors watched musicians perform and sampled Alsatian wine. A team had been cooking the millet porridge since 6 a.m., using a recipe developed from old books. The mixture includes almonds, raisins and honey, which Tomas Prenosil, head of the Sprüngli confectionery, said was believed to be more or less the original recipe.

Michael, who watched older members of his association leave for the journey when he was a junior, is taking part for the first time as a young adult. He said the event’s 10-year interval made it special, although he expected the rowing to be demanding and predicted blisters on his hands.

The organising committee prepared the journey for three years. Its president, Franco Straub, said 90 percent of the work was organised and the remaining 10 percent would require improvisation.

Low water levels have created difficulties this year. The boats cannot cover the entire route, so participants will travel by bus along some sections.

Despite the disruption, anticipation remained high. Shortly after Pflüger boarded the second boat, a cannon shot signalled the departure. The rowers lowered their oars into the water and began moving towards Strasbourg.