UFO over Baden: Candle Balloons Fill the Night Sky

Candle Balloons over the Castle in Baden

One Swiss custom I have yet to understand has something to do with balloons and candles. I would love to better understand the custom or the tradition but I have to admit I haven't asked a Swiss as it never seems to come up in conversation.

As best I can tell the Swiss have this tradition of some sort to launch a platoon of balloons carrying candles skyward in the night sky. I don't know if it is done on a particular date or time but if you happen to catch a glimpse of one such balloon launch it is a sight to see.

A few weeks back we were out on our balcony when the a flock of such balloons started rising above the castle across the street. Being the every diligent photographer that I am I ran inside, grabbed my camera and tripod and set-up for a long exposure photograph. The photo above was one in the series of a few pictures that I took.

If anyone knows the story behind this tradition leave a comment, I would love to learn more about it.