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Berchtoldstag (also Bechtelstag, Bechtle, Bechtelistag, Berchtelistag, Bächtelistag, Bärzelistag) is an Alemannic holiday, known in Switzerland, Liechtenstein and the Alsace. It is near New Year's Day, during the Rauhnächte, in Switzerland always on January 2, with the status of a public holiday number of cantons (AG (partly), BE, FR, GL, JU, LU, NE, OW, SH, SO, TG, VD, ZG, ZH). Its observation is attested since the 14th century. The name is related to the Perchta, a female of myth and folklore, guardian of the animals, and sometimes leader of the Wild Hunt. The male name Berchtold is secondary, the liturgical calendar has no saint of that name.
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