The event is the largest historical parade in Europe, with some 900 costumed participants is celebrated every year in commemoration of a victory against troops of the neighboring Duke of Savoie, who tried to seize the city by surprise over 400 years ago. Thousands of spectators poured into Geneva on Sunday to see the traditional Escalade parade. The outgoing president of Switzerland, Samuel Schmid, attended the celebrations in the company of local city officials. A large variety of activities entertained the crowds of spectators were there: pick fighting demonstrations, trumpet concerts, and cannon shooting, amongst others. On the night of the 12th of December 1602, Savoyard soldiers attempted to sneak into the Geneva by using giant ladders, but by a stroke of good luck, locals managed to push back the assailants and turn the attack into a fiasco. The Escalade is one of the only truly Geneva’s historical events of the year.

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