On 1 March 2023, the village youth marched through the streets of Lenzerheide singing, ringing cowbells and cracking whips. We want to chase away winter with the loud ringing of bells and welcome spring with cheerful songs and poems.
What is the "Chalandamarz"?
In the Rhaeto-Romanic language, "Chalandamarz" marks the beginning of March. The winter is rung out with loud bells and the approaching start of spring is celebrated. The custom is practised in the Engadin, Münstertal, Bergell, Puschlav, Misox, Oberhalbstein and Albula valleys.
Bells, whips and spring songs
Schoolchildren in peasant blouses, pointed caps and traditional costumes parade through Lenzerheide in the early morning with bells and whips and sing Chalandamarz songs.
Famous far beyond Graubünden
The Engadin writer Selina Chönz described Chalandamarz in the children's book "Schellenursli" (1945), illustrated by Alois Carigiet. This made the custom famous worldwide. To honour the Grisons painter and graphic artist Alois Carigiet, the Federal Mint Swissmint issued the "Schellen-Ursli" gold coin on 26 May 2011. In 2015, Chalandamarz was represented at Zurich's Sechseläuten, and the film "Schellen-Ursli" by Xavier Koller contributed to the marketing of the custom.
