The long-standing tradition began as always on the first Monday after Ash Wednesday. Festivities started at 4am when the streetlights were switched off in the centre of the city and the sound of flutes and drums filled the air for what’s known as ‘Morgestraich’.
External Content
People lined the city’s streets to watch thousands of participants – costumed bands of musicians and groups wearing masks – pulling large decorative lanterns. The Basel carnival runs until 4am on Thursday.
The start of this year’s Fasnacht, which enjoys UNESCO world heritage status, was special as the previous two years had been cancelled due to the pandemic.
Prior to the outbreak of the virus, Basel’s carnival attracted around 200,000 spectators every year. There was a large turnout on Monday morning with the narrow streets packed.
The colourful carnival goes on for 72 hours. In addition to bands, groups of performers known as “schnitzelbängg” travel throughout the city’s locales performing songs and poems that poke fun at well-known people and events.
Black humour has been part of carnival since the Middle Ages, when the lower classes seized the opportunity to mock their rulers from the safety of their disguises. The jokes and decorated lanterns at Fasnacht tend to reflect local and world events.
It’s carnival season in the rest of Switzerland, too. The Lucerne Fasnacht carnival, the second-biggest in the country, finished with a bang last week, i.e. with the traditional parade of loud and masked “Guggenmusig” players.
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
Watches belonging to Michael Schumacher up for auction
This content was published on
Schumacher's family is auctioning off eight rare watches from his collection in Geneva. The Christie's auction will take place on Monday.
Joya Marleen and Baschi named best solo acts at Swiss Music Awards
This content was published on
St. Gallen singer Joya Marleen and Baschi from Basel were named artists of the year at the Swiss Music Awards 2024 on Wednesday night.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
This content was published on
The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
This content was published on
The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
This content was published on
In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Hundreds gather for Basel carnival despite ban
This content was published on
Although major events are banned due to coronavirus, several hundred people met to mark – and mourn – the cancelled carnival.
Switzerland bans major public events to slow spread of virus
This content was published on
Switzerland has banned public events with more than 1,000 people until at least March 15 in response to the coronavirus threat.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.