Photos

Morgenstraich - The traditional Basel Fasnacht procession is a feast for the eyes
“Ystoh! Morgestraich, vorwärts Marsch!” [Get ready for “Morgenstraich” procession! Forward march!] is the opening line for what the people of Basel call the three best days of the year. Fasnacht has been celebrated in Basel in the week following Ash Wednesday since 1529. It starts with an early morning procession Monday morning at 4 a.m. The Basel Fasnacht is known for its magnificent lanterns carried by the participating cliques, artistic masks and costumes, whistling of fifes and banging of drums, “Schnitzelbänke” [colourful sheets of paper with texts in verse poking fun at local events and celebrities] that don’t go spare anyone or anything, and its parades. This year, the Fasnacht in Basel will be celebrated from 2 to 4 march.