Basler Fasnacht
The Carnival of
Basel (German: Basler Fasnacht) is the biggest
carnival in Switzerland and takes place annually between February and March in
Basel.
The Basler Fasnacht starts on the Monday after Ash
Wednesday at precisely 4:00 am with the so-called Morgestraich. The
carnival lasts for exactly 72 hours and, therefore, ends on Thursday morning at
4:00 am. During this time the Fasnächtler (the participants)
dominate the old town of central Basel,
running free in the streets and restaurants. Basler Fasnacht is often referred
to as die drey scheenschte Dääg ("the three most beautiful
days").
The
approximately 18,000 active Fasnächtler are dressed up in a wide variety
of costume designs, including a mask known as a Larve. Members of the various
Cliques wear uniform costumes that fit a specific theme, except for during
Morgestraich and Fasnacht Tuesday. It is very common for costumes to represent
famous persons, such as politicians, or even comic characters or animals. There
are also more traditional masks that are reminiscent of Napoleonic soldiers,
harlequins (Harlekin) and the famous Waggis.
Most of the groups choose a Sujet (French: theme) for the Fasnacht. These Sujets usually refer to
recent events and are presented in a sarcastic manner. These Sujets can
be seen on lanterns during Morgenstreich and in the costumes worn by Clique
members during the Cortège. Most Cliques also distribute Zeedel (flyers
containing ironic verse).
One of the oldest formations are the Cliques, who
march through the old town playing the piccolo and basler drum. A Clique usually consists of a Vortrab
(vanguard), the Pfeifer (pipers), the Tambourmajor (drum major)
and the Tambouren (drummers).
Marching brass bands playing Guggenmusik are another formation present during Carnival.
These Gugge will not participate on Morgestreich, but only at Cortège on
Monday, Wednesday, the evenings and especially on Tuesday night when they hold
their Gugge-Concerts.
There are also many non-Clique individuals and small
groups known as Schyssdräggziigli who wander through the streets. As the
Cliques, they play music with piccolo and drums.
Comments
This was an interesting story and the photographs transport the atmosphere very well - I think since I have never been there ;-). But I always find it a little bit menacing and looming. Totally different from the Rose Monday parade and the Fassenacht in Mainz - even if we always have Guggemusik from Switzerland as guests.
Viele Grüße & weiterhin sichere Straßen, Fritsch.
I have always wonder how they could tidy up all those confetti's from the streets when the fastnacht is over. :-)
Eva