Nationalfeiertag Höhenfeuer - 716th Birthday of Switzerland

Ryan Calhoun, on August 21, 2007, said:

Beautiful shot. I think you captured the heat as well as the color!

And such an event! There is a saying about the difference between Britain and the US, that they think 100 miles is a long way and we think 100 years is a long time. The part about time would be the same for all of Europe, I suppose. A belated Happy Birthday to Switzerland! I just have no concept for history going back that far. The Natives where I live were nomads, so aside from a few arrowheads, the oldest things I get to see are mid 1800s. To me that sounds old. I can't even consider 1300s! You're lucky to live in such a place.

And in case I forgot, I really like the photo!

♫ Swissmay, on August 21, 2007, said:

Thanks Ryan! It's very rare that I go to see anything like this. But this place is not even 10 minutes from where I live. People from the little hamlet and anybody who wants, gather for a barbecue and on the hill - a few minutes to walk - the fire is lit as a symbol of the times all the centuries back, when they used the fires on the hills as a signal for the fight for freedom. From this special hill we were able to see 18 other fires as far as to the snow mountains. But then there is a lot of noise and smoke with firework which I usually try to avoid.

And besides we live today! What is human history, in comparison to our Earth's history? May :)

©polytropos, on August 24, 2007, said:

Nice shot of an immemorial Swiss tradition.

♫ Swissmay, on August 24, 2007, said:

Thanks Polytropos! Am 1. August scheinen wir alle etwas pyromanisch veranlagt zu sein.

[Y]$humahera_z, on April 14, 2009, said:

http://www.panoramio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17505

♫ Swissmay, on June 25, 2009, said:

Domi, merci! C'est le feu pour l'anniversaire de la Suisse au 1. Août.

May

macello, on August 17, said:

Sali ♫ Swissmay, tja mit Feuer habe ich etwas Mühe, uns ist am 14/12/06 das ganze Haus aus- und abgebrannt, siehe Bilder, krass oder? Seit da habe ich ein Feuer- und Rauch-Trauma... HerzGrüsse, MaCello

♫ Swissmay, on August 20, said:

Macello, das mit dem Brand tut mir sehr leid. Ich habe deine Bilder auf der Mac-Seite gesehen, schrecklich, wenn alles zerstört wird.

Liebe Grüsse, May

Vesnelle, on October 5, said:

Was this taken at the village where we went on National Day when I first arrived in Switzerland? If not, it certainly brings back memories of that day.

♫ Swissmay, on October 5, said:

Dear Vesnelle, thank you so much, I am happy to hear from you! Yes, it's exactly at the place where we stayed. They have a bonfire there every year.

I hope you and your family are all well! A month ago I was on our "traces" in the Grisons - you must have "heard" me thinking of you! :)

Warmest wishes to you and your family,

May