Annual Carnival in Basel, Switzerland ~ Fasnacht

     I wanted to write about something related to a masques, carnival, mardi gras theme, based on my recent novella, Autumn Masquerade. By coincidence, a friend told me this morning he is traveling to Switzerland in March for the Basel Carnival, so I decided to check it out and give us all a little insight into this unique European festival. Like everything in Europe, it’s an ancient custom.

Basilea, an old woodblock depiction

     

     The Swiss are known worldwide for punctuality and as experts in timing, not just as cuckoo clock and luxury watch manufacturers. Therefore, it's little wonder that the Basel Carnival - Fasnacht - lasts exactly 72 hours, starting at 4am on the Monday after Ash Wednesday and ending at 4am the following Thursday. Precision!

     Here are some fun facts about this event, which by the way, is considered one of the 50 best local festivities in Europe.

     ***Participants are expected to remain totally incognito throughout the festival. It is considered very bad form to let anyone know who you are. Costumes cover literally every inch of you, so no clues. (This has overtones of famous Swiss bank secrecy… I think the Swiss enjoy secrecy in general from the sound of things.)

     ***Confetti is thrown during carnival. Some local historians claim the concept of confetti originated right there, although there is no proof. Small sugar balls called confetti used to be thrown until it was prohibited in the 19^th century, when they substituted small shards of paper. Straw was also thrown for a while. Confetti is sold in bags with one color only, so you are expected to throw only that one color. It is considered bad form to throw mixed colors, as this indicates you probably swept it up off the streets and that is unhygienic.

 Basel Carnival - A Marching Brass Band

     ***Most groups, known as cliques, choose a theme (sujet) that is current and newsworthy. Sarcasm is used heavily. They pass out Zeedel (leaflets or flyers) with ironic and sarcastic verse about the “hot topic”. The subject of the theme is usually displayed on the famous lanterns made up for the Morgenstreich and the members of the clique wear costumes associated with their theme.

 One of the illuminated carnival lanterns

     ***Spectators run the risk of being attacked from behind by confetti-throwers, especially if they don’t have on a Blaggedde which is a Carnival badge. If you are wearing a masque or costume you are not subject to being bombarded by confetti throwers.

     ***There are marching brass bands and floats to be seen at certain times during the Carnival. The Waggis wear a particular type of costume and are quite famous for being rude. They are the main confetti throwing crowd.

 A Basel Carnival Illuminated Lantern of George Bush

     Remember that if you have serious business to attend to, you will be very frustrated during this week because almost all work and school schedules cease to exist. Also, as the carnival progresses, the degree of irreverence increases. By the end of the Fasnacht the city cleans up and life returns to its usual rhythm within a day or two.

     BASEL is an ancient city. Baselea was documented as early as 374AD. The rich heritage is a blend of three countries – Switzerland, France and Germany. It is located in northwest Switzerland on the border of France and Germany. Basler German (a Swiss dialect) is the official language, but the highly educated population mostly speaks fluent German and French, as well as English. It is a prosperous industrial, pharmaceutical and banking center of significant historical and cultural significance. 
     There's something mysterious and romantic about dressing in disguise. As an author, just the thought of going incognito to a public event opens my imagination to countless possibilities!

GEMMA JULIANA is a multi-published author who lives in an enchanted cottage in north Texas. She loves making new friends and hearing from readers. Exotic coffee and chocolate fuel her creativity. You can follow Gemma on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gemma_juliana and see her books by visiting http://www.gemmajuliana.com.