Bernese carnival bear sent into hibernation
Keystone-SDA
Carnival revellers in Bern have sent their carnival bear into hibernation. They will wake it up again in February for the start of carnival.
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The carnival bear was sent into hibernation at 11.11am on the 11th day of the 11th month. The ceremony in front of the Käfigturm in Bern’s Old Town was attended by numerous onlookers.
Afterwards, the carnival fans made their way to the Erlacherhof, where the city invited them to an aperitif. The “Guggeparty” was to follow in the evening on Schmiedenplatz near the Kornhaus.
+ Swiss carnivals – a riot of colour, noise and tradition
On February 19, 2026, the revellers will wake up their bear again at the start of the fifth season. The bear is the symbol of carnival in the Swiss capital.
Translated from German by DeepL/ts
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