In Murten, as in many other places, the end of the school year and the beginning of the summer holidays are celebrated at a youth festival. Known as ‘Solennität’ (or ‘Solennité’ in French), this school event is unusual because it is also a commemoration of the Battle of Murten on 22 June 1476. The Solennität is basically an event for the entire town of Murten, and 22 June has become a public holiday. The event is paid for by the city and organised by schools; teaching staff prepare students to participate in the Solennität day (known locally as the ‘Sola’). Many locals help out with preparations, for example by creatively decorating the fountains in the old town. The organisation of the event is largely delegated to the German and French departments of the primary and secondary school, which have a total of some 2000 pupils (2017).
Many towns have youth and graduation festivals with their own names and local customs. In Burgdorf, the festival, which takes place on the last Monday in June, is called the ‘Solätte’ and has been held in the same form since 1729.
