Switzerland: Basler Fasnacht (Carnival in Basel)
Leave your false nose at home and forget the Wein, Weib und Gesang from the German carnival tradition: the Basler Fasnacht has its own rules. In Basel no singalongs and dancing, but Europe's most amazing manner to chase the winter away. 72 hours long.
[SWITZER.JURA 6323] During large parts of the Basler Fasnacht (carnival of Basel) the streets are occupied by "Cliques" (groups or bands). This striking group is photographed before sunrise after Morgestraich, the start of the carnival at 4 a.m. on Monday. Photo Paul Smit.
[SWITZER.JURA 6316] In the early morning of the first day of the "Basler Fasnacht" (carnival of Basel) two "Alti Dantes" (old spinsters) dash through the streets of Basel. It is still before sunrise, the morning of the Morgestraich. Photo Paul Smit.
[SWITZER.JURA 6303] During the "Basler Fasnacht" (carnival of Basel) a "Clique" (group) of "Guggemusiker" (brassband players) crosses the Rhine. Photo Paul Smit.
[SWITZER.JURA 6318] During the "Basler Fasnacht" (carnival in Basel) two "Alti Dantes" (old spinsters) pipe while walking along the Rhine. Mind you, in daily life they are a couple. You can see the beard of the man, at right. Why do people pipe during the carnival - very loud, high pitched and seemingly chaotic - often for more then an hour in a row without stopping? That's what carnival, in its heathen origins, is all about: scaring away the winter! Photo Paul Smit.
Nightfall during carnival in Basel.
[SWITZER.JURA 6325] Carnival continues day and night for 72 hours in Basel. One of the great moments each day is just after sunset along the Rhine (Rhein). It's the fairy tale hour. Photo Paul Smit.
[SWITZER.JURA 6329] Along the Rhine (Rhein) the "Basler Fasnacht" (carnival of Basel) lives through some its most beautiful moments when the sun sets behind the Münster church. I followed this fool for half an hour when he walked through the old streets, along the river and over the bridges. He didn't stop piping. As a real Basler he knew what Fasnacht was about: scaring the winter away! Photo Paul Smit.
[SWITZER.JURA 6336] Since the seventies women can participate in the "Basler Fasnacht", the carnival of Basel. But only in their own "Cliques" (bands), not in the traditional ones. Photo Paul Smit.
[SWITZER.JURA 6342] Atmosphere in one of the cafés of Basel during carnival. Cafés and restaurants are the only places where the masks are put down. From the roof hangs a typical Basel carnival lantern. Photo Paul Smit.
[SWITZER.JURA 6351] Queing for the ferry over the Rhine (Rhein) during the "Basler Fasnacht", the carnival of Basel. There are three ferries in town, and none has a motor. They use a cable and the force of the streaming water. Photo Paul Smit.
[SWITZER.JURA 6314] The carnival in Basel is famous for its huge lanterns. They show the "Sujet"(topic) of the "Clique" (group) of that year. Often these topics are political and criticize aspects of Swiss life or local Basel politics. Photo Paul Smit.
[SWITZER.JURA 6357] "Basler Fasnacht" (carnival of Basel), Tuesday, children's carnival. It is a day that touches you, because the children rule and the parents obey. Photo Paul Smit.
[SWITZER.JURA 6359] Tuesday is children's carnival during the "Basler Fasnacht", the carnival of Basel. It's a day of colours, play and tenderness. Photo Paul Smit.
[SWITZER.JURA 6362] Tuesday is children's carnival during the "Basler Fasnacht", the carnival of Basel. Then the children rule and the parents obey. Photo Paul Smit.
[SWITZER.JURA 6300] "Morgestraich", the start of the "Basler Fasnacht" (carnival of Basel) at four o'clock on a Monday morning. At that moment all street and shop lights are turned off. It is silent. And then this incredible noise breaks loose, consisting of seemingly random drumming and fierce piping. You need to study for years to do it right, however. Photo Paul Smit.
[SWITZER.JURA 6373] Tuesday is children's carnival during the "Basler Fasnacht". Then the children rule and the parents obey. Since the typical "Larve", the mask of Basel, is rude and large, it can be a surprise when it is lifted. Which is rarely, but thirst breaks rules. Photo Paul Smit.
Old spinsters along the Rhine.
[SWITZER.JURA 6317] During the "Basler Fasnacht" (carnival in Basel) two "Alti Dantes" (old spinsters) pipe along the Rhine. Mind you, in daily life they are a couple. The man is at right. Photo Paul Smit.
[SWITZER.JURA 6324] During the "Basler Fasnacht" (carnival in Basel) a lone harlequin plays the piccolo at moonlight. Although being a harlequin, he doesn't have the standard harlequin face. He wears a "Larve" as everybody else, a rude kind of mask, but yet adopted to the harlequin character. Photo Paul Smit.
Carnival in surreal surroundings.
[SWITZER.JURA 6326] A family of clowns and other strange folk entering the Theater Passage during the carnival in Basel. Photo Paul Smit.
[SWITZER.JURA 6332] After a full night of drumming and piping during the carnival in Basel these two people are still going strong. The man in the background however has decided to get some sleep now that the sun is shining again. Photo Paul Smit.
[SWITZER.JURA 6338] During the "Basler Fasnacht" (carnival of Basel) it can be a pleasant surprise to see who is behind a mask. Especially if that mask, called a "Larve" in Basel, has the face of an "Alti Dante", an old spinster. Photo Paul Smit.
[SWITZER.JURA 6344] Atmosphere in one of the traditional cafés of Basel during carnival. Cafés and restaurants are the only places where the masks are put down. Photo Paul Smit.
[SWITZER.JURA 6312] During the "Basler Fasnacht", the carnival in Basel, traditionally there is a difference between the people of Basel Stadt, the city, and Basel Land, the countryside around it. The people from the land, who traditionally were farmers and grew the food for the town, are symbolized by the "Waggis" during the carnival. Mostly you see large groups of them and they throw oranges, the symbol of food, into the crowds. Photo Paul Smit.
[SWITZER.JURA 6353] Tuesday is children's carnival during the "Basler Fasnacht", the carnival of Basel. Then the children rule and the parents obey. These children are enjoying a wild ride while their father (!) is running across the square. Photo Paul Smit.
[SWITZER.JURA 6358] Tuesday is children's carnival during the "Basler Fasnacht". Then the children rule and the parents obey. Photo Paul Smit.
[SWITZER.JURA 6360] Tuesday is children's carnival during the "Basler Fasnacht", the carnival of Basel. Then the children rule and the parents obey. There are so many other children and so many things to see and to go to. But some need nothing else then confetti to be happy. Photo Paul Smit.
