'Big bottle' binges shock staid Swiss

It is the phenomenon scandalizing large parts of Switzerland, launching a feverish debate about the behavior of the younger generation. The country of John Calvin is in the grip of a sudden predilection of its youth for mass open-air drinking parties in public parks, called botellons.

The tabloid newspaper Blick has warned that "a wave of alcohol is washing over all of Switzerland". Far from being a peaceful gathering, it added: "Botellon is mainly about drinking until you drop."

The consequence has been a feverish debate in a country where public drinking is legal, at least in theory. It has seen three of the biggest cities, Lausanne, Bern and Zurich, ban the events while Geneva, always regarded as a more cosmopolitan, liberal place, recently hosted an "authorized" event somewhat dampened by rain.

Some Swiss authorities are seeking to construct new laws to ban the Internet-organized gatherings following a botellon in July attended by 1,300 which saw dozens treated in hospital for the effects of drinking. The craze was imported from Spain, where public drinking is not allowed, as a response by young people to the high cost of clubbing. Literally translated, it means "big bottle".

Following the Geneva event, the local hospital service reported treating a dozen people for over-consumption of alcohol. But while the city has taken a more laid-back approach, councilors in Lausanne have held an emergency meeting on how to tackle mass drinking in public.

"We convinced the organizer to cancel 'one' event," said the director of public security, Marc Vuilleumier. "If people come we will have a proportionate response. We've seen the risks that exist to public order."

In Zurich, police had warned they may resort to an ordinance that regulates the "increased use of public space" to rein in some 5,000 people who had pledged to take part in a botellon at the end of the month.

"It's not the first time that someone drinks alcohol in Zurich," said police spokesman Marco Cortesi. "But we've never had this kind of collective indulgence organized before."

"Legally we can't do much, as long as there is no underage drinking or other offenses being committed."

Although many believe the phenomenon will finally be curbed by the onset of winter, organizers say they plan more before the autumn ends.

The Guardian

(China Daily 09/01/2008 page8)