Onions are among the favorite foods of the Swiss people.  In Berne, the capital city of Switzerland, each year the historic Zybelemarit, or the Onion Festival, is held on the fourth Monday of November.

Long ago, the farmers from the state of Berne grew massive quantities of onions.  To protect the interests of local farmers, there were laws prohibiting farmers from other states to sell their agricultural products in Berne.

Early in the 15th century, there was a big fire in Berne City, the capital of Berne State.  Because of insufficient fire-fighting forces, flames quickly spread.  In this urgent moment, 25 kilometers away, the farmers from Fribourg State heard the news and rushed to Berne to help fight the fire and assist in the rescue work.  The fire was quickly brought under control.  Though hundreds of houses were burned down, most of the buildings were fortunately saved.

To express their gratitude, Berne residents invited Fribourg farmers to sell their onions in Berne.  As time passed, in addition to Fribourg farmers, more and more farmers from other areas came, and it gradually grew to be today's Berne Onion Festival.

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