Monday morning 19 February 2018
The Swiss do a lot of things differently and their carnival, called `Fasnacht´ is no exception.
Their festivities begin later than in the rest of Europe which has to do with religion.
The beginning of Fasnacht falls on the first Monday after Ash Wednesday.
It is a mixture of joie de vivre and melancholy, disguises, death and century old traditions.
The most striking difference to other carnivals is the strict separation of spectators and activists.
“The various cliques”, whose members prepare all year long for their floats, costumes and Schnitzelbänk. are the center of the Carnival.
Another difference is that there are no Prince and Princess of the Carnival and Fasnacht in Basel.
The on lookers do just that: they stand along the route the parades takes.
Not wearing any form of masks, make up or disguises.
They’re not singing along or dancing in the streets and not getting drunk.
They are seriously frowned upon and only showing their solidarity with the event by wearing the official plaque on their lapels which are for sale everywhere in bronze, silver or gold.
If that doesn´t look like a lot of fun, don´t worry.
There are a lot of other events during the three days, like balls, parties, Schnitzelbänk performances etc. where the spectators can let their hair down.
During the ‘Morgestraich’ and the cortege the stage belongs to the cliques.
You can rent traditional costumes like ‘Alte Tante’ (old aunt) Schickse or Wäggis.
Foreigners who don´t speak the language, better stick to ball gowns and black tie, because otherwise they may be mercilessly laughed at.
When:
04.00 o’clock Monday morning
2018: 19 February
2019: 11 March
2020: 02 March
Where: Basel, Switzerland
Homepage: fasnachts-comite.ch
Map: Basel on Google Maps
Hotels: Hotels in Basel
Turning to the most important and impressive event, the ‘Morgestraich’: On Monday at 4.00am on the dot, the entire inner city is plunged into darkness including the street illumination.
Then, out of the black you hear the sound of drums and pipes.
Then illuminated, huge lanterns come into view and the long line of cliques in their traditional costumes and masks.
Prominently the Wäggis, slowly wind their way through the prescribed route, past the thousands of spectators who have been standing in the cold with freezing feet for hours to get the best view of the procession.
The earie spectacle is well worth the ´suffering´.
After that, the many restaurants, known as ‘baizes’ fill to breaking point with masks and spectators alike to warm up with Mehlsuppe, another tradition, and mulled wine.
All day long, drummers and pipers, either in groups or alone roam the streets of Basel, constantly playing their tunes.
The next day belongs to the floats, each with a different theme, often political and in the evening satiric performances, called ‘Schnitzelbänk’ entertain the visitors.
Further events are the lantern exhibitions, a fasnacht for children and balls.
One of the best balls held in Basel´s oldest and best 5 star hotel Les Trois Rois (the three kings) located on the Rhine with a huge terrace overlooking the water.
The 5 star hotel Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois stands out to be one of the best hotels in Basel.
If you don’t like the luxurious style, there are many other options and here is an overview
