The weather forecast for Zurich’s weekend was bad, real bad. Maximum temperature was 18 degrees with heavy rain. What kind of summer is that? Will Zurich’s biggest annual event be cancelled? Without any possibility to cancel our train ticket, my friends and I boarded the train from Milan to Zurich on Friday 10 Aug.(year 2007)
At 17.30, Zurich’s central train station is crowded with people. It is not clear whether they are arriving or leaving. Some topless male workers are mounting a 10 metres high stage. Another group of staff, wearing black t-shirt and helmet on their head, are hanging the disco lights over us. Tomorrow, this train station will be transformed into a mega discothèque. As we walk towards our hotel situated 200 mt away, the dark clouds hovered coldly above us. Last year, at this time, there were already several DJ testing their sound system in the streets. Today, there is none. Hmmm, not a good sign.
We had a quick dinner at Lee’s corner, a Chinese food take away stall. A plate of sambal chicken rice and a coke cost CHF20.50 (SGD26.00) No kidding. I regret eating it. Partly for the high price, partly for the smell of garlic in my mouth throughout the whole night.
Hardbrucke is an Industrial zone recently becoming a youngsters’ hang out place. Bars, discos, shops etc. It is less than a one minute train journey, just one stop from the Central train station. Train departs in every 5-7 minutes. First we went to AKT bar for a drink. The crowd is friendly and dancing to the techno music. I asked for a whisky cola. They gave me a 0.33L glass with whisky filled up till 90% and a small bottle of coca cola. We decide to return to our hotel after 2 hours.
The night train brought us back to the central train station under the drizzling sky. The stage has already been completed. A drummer is testing his strokes and the sound for tomorrow’s gig. We’ll see, if there will be a parade tomorrow.
11/aug 2007
The sky is so grey that it is difficult to tell the time of the day. I put on my padded vest, and go for breakfast at Migros café. It is actually a section of the supermarket Migros, which offers coffee and pastries.
We cross the bridge where white goose and grey ducks are swimming in the lake underneath. At 10.30 am, the music is already blasting from the central station, sending sizzling sounds through the glass panels. It is a good idea that the organiser places one of the dance venues there. If it rains, at least there is a sheltered place to dance. One by one, the train continue to bring more people into Zurich. NS boys in uniforms, fresh out of camps for their weekend, remained in the station to participate. About 600 guys and gals move their body to the pumping tunes. Most of them are also showing off their fruits of their creation. Girls with vibrant colour tinted hair, faces sprayed with funky colours. Boys with spiky coloured hair and strange looking pants. The kiosks are busy selling cans of beers. The air is filled with enthusiasm and energy.
As attractive as it may be, this party is too early for us especially right after breakfast. After a few snaps of photos, we head back to Hardbrucke station again. The MAAG event hall is one of the official party venues of Street Parade. Many worlds famous DJ like Sander van Doorn will be showing off their skills here tonight. It is unlikely that we will be attending the event tonight so we come to explore the place now.
The opposite side of the road is where the famous Zurich made recycled bags brand “Freitag”’s signature store is located. The 7 storey store is made up of used shipping containers. http://www.freitag.ch/ It is a unique building to marvel at.
After coming out from a charming Spanish/Mexican restaurant “Turm”, the world seems to have double its spin during our lunch because the streets suddenly become more vibrant. Food vendors are starting to mount stands and light their grills. Shops are closed and bars are opened. Technicians lay their cables setting up more dj stations. Yes, even the wind is warmer now. THE STREET PARADE IS ON!
Like in the movie "Close encounters of the 3rd kind", everyone move towards the direction of Opernhaus, one of the gathering points of the parade. Oh my god, how can we lose out? In a second, we dash back to our hotel rooms busy drawing out all the barang barang from our bags. It is show time baby!
At about 3.00pm we step into the streets dressed up in our special attire. To be honest, I felt a little embarrassed, silly and ridiculous. People laugh at our dressing and we laugh at ourselves. On the other hand, looking beautiful is not the spirit here. At least for today, conformation is ignored. Being unique and different is celebrated.
Once on the road, people ask to take photos with us and we do the same with others. It feels just like the red carpet of the Academy awards. Everyone here is a star. Different styles of music from stalls and bars are dispersed in the air. They are mixed together to form an anthem building up the spirits. As long as you like music and you like to have fun, you are most welcome to participate. And this parade is free. Probably one of the reasons why this parade is so successful and famous is because there is no discrimation, no prejudices.
Even chaos has its logic. At a certain point of time, the first float arrived, carrying about 50 dancers all dressed in white on board. Their DJ plays his selection through their roaring stereo. It stops in front of us to encourage our support. The crowd yell, clapping to the beat. After a few minutes, the float moved further down the route to meet more cheering spectators.
Not long afterwards, the second float arrives, mixing a different sound and bringing with them a different group of supporters. Then the third float, the fourth, the fifth…….
We decided not to stay on to witness all the 24 floats. Doing that would miss all the fun in other corners. On the main stage at 100 mt away, dancers are grooving erotically to the music in funky costumes. With drinks in our hand, we nose around the smaller streets which are less intense but just as exciting. Music continues to discharge into the air. Many people already sitting down to rest. We halt at Cranberry bar which is just by the main road. They play good tecno music. It is crowded with many young people merry making and dancing outside.
Gradually the day light left us. I bought a grilled sausage from the road side vendor (CHF5.00/SGD 6.30) as we stroll to along the street. (http://www.predigerhof.ch/) Some of our friends went "Missing In Action" but never mind, we’ll sure to meet up later. At 10.30 pm, it's time to investigate the main train station. It is so congested with people that it is impossible to go near to the stage. A brasserie and a bar by the sides had cleared their tables to transform into a dance hall. I was obligated by the exceptional progressive music beat to move my lazy bum. The party here in the train station will go on till 6.00 am the next morning. An hour and a half later,
I realise silence gradually creeps in. The music, the base and the noise which was part of the atmosphere have vanished. The local law stipulates that all open-air gigs have to be terminated at midnight. Private clubs however, are permitted to continue their ball. Notwithstanding the music curfew, countless people remain in the street. No music? No problem. It is the atmosphere, the mood, the surrounding that makes one stay out. What an exceptional parade.
