FASNACHT - Basel, Switzerland
Basel's Carnival, or Basler Fasnacht, is a three-day celebration beginning the Monday after Ash Wednesday. After the Reformation in 1520, Protestants in Basel continued celebrating Fasnacht while the other regions officially stopped. In order to differ from the Catholic customs, Fasnacht was scheduled one week later starting in 1529. Today the Carnival of Basel is said to be "the only Protestant carnival in the world". During Fasnacht Basel is ruled by the Fasnächtler (the participants). Basler Fasnacht is often referred to as Die Ddrey Scheenschte Dääg (the three most beautiful days).
The celebrations begin at 4:00 am on Monday when the Industrial Works of Basel shuts down the streetlights. The only light remaining comes from the lanterns of the Cliques (carnaval clubs). There are two types of lanterns, the large Zugslaterne (parade lanterns) that are wheel-mounted or carried by 2 to 4 people in front of the Cliques; and the head-mounted Kopflaterne (head lanterns) that every participant wears.
The Grand Cortege begins in the afternoon and is a procession of the Fasnächtler dress up in wild and wonderful costumes and masks, play music, carry around pictorial lanterns depicting the Sujet (satirical themes) and perform and distribute Schnitzelbänggväärs (satirical poems). The Fasnächtler consist of the Cliquenand the Guggemusige. The Cliquen play marching music with piccolos and drums. The Guggemusige are a big brass band who play popular songs but deliberately off-key.
Also included in the procession are Wääge (decorated wagons). From the wääge teams of Waggis. A traditional character, the Waggis, wear masks with large teeth, a big nose and wear wooden clogs and a red, white and blue costume. The Waggis were originally a caricature of the Alsatian farmers who would sell their wares at the Basel street market. The Waggis hand out sweets and oranges and they cover everybody with buckets full of confetti. No matter how thoroughly you wash your clothes afterwards, you will find bits of confetti in your washing machine for about six months after Fasnacht has ended.
Other traditions include groups of Harlekins, a parody of a Napoleonic soldiers dressed as harlequins, marching through the streets. Räppli (confetti) falls like a snowstorm during the parade and covers the entire procession area.
Tuesday is Kinderfasnacht (Children’ Carnival) and during the evening the area around marketplace belongs to the Gugge music groups, who play their brass instruments as they march through the city center stopping at various places to play four to five songs.
The celebrations and music continue through the streets on Wednesday until the clock strikes 4:00am, signaling the end of Fasnacht.RESOURCES
Official website for the Basler Fasnacht
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