For 3 wonderful days every year, the town of Basel descends into color and chaos during the Basel Carnival ("Basler Fasnacht"). Beginning on Ash Wednesday and lasting exactly 72 hours, Basel Carnival is the largest carnival in Switzerland.
The roots of Basler Fasnacht are obscure, as the disastrous earthquake of 1356 destroyed substantial parts of the city and many official archives. One of the earliest records of the carnival refers to Ash Wednesday in 1376. The event took place on the Münsterplatz and involved two arguments between citizens and knights that escalated into a bloodbath.
Citizens chased the noblemen and killed four of them in the process. Retribution was harsh: 12 citizens were beheaded and the Holy Roman Empire banned the city. In Basel's history, this fateful day is known as the Böse Fasnacht ("evil carnival"). Throughout the years, the Fasnacht evolved into what we know today.
On the first day of the carnival, on the Monday after Ash Wednesday, locals and visitors gather early in the dark and spooky city center. Thousands of costumed drummers and piccolo players celebrate with thousands of drum majors marching forward. Two parades are held on Monday and Wednesday, bringing together 11,000 costumed carnivalists in parades of fife and drum cliques, floats, and carriages. Tuesday is dedicated to the children's carnival and the performance of Guggenmusik (cartwheels) by carnival marching bands.
Schnitzelbank groups, who present satirical texts with illustrations in restaurants and cellars, are very special at the Basler Fasnacht. A further highlight is the lantern exhibition at the Münsterplatz, which displays around 180 different lanterns that light up the medieval square and its beautiful artwork. A total of approximately 20,000 people of all ages, social statuses, origins, and political persuasions are actively involved in the festival, which attracts about 200,000 visitors from Switzerland and abroad. Both bearers and practitioners form associations of various kinds, composed equally of men and women.
In a very traditional and unique way, the Basler Fasnacht is both a themed carnival and a family celebration. Through colors, music, and good company, the carnival promotes togetherness and friendship. It also contributes to the promotion of social cohesion, promotes tolerance for social criticism, and helps safeguard the local dialect.
Transmission occurs formally in families across several generations. Many of the ‘cliques’ have sections dedicated to encouraging the next generation, and several pre-carnival events are also organized, allowing for the transmission of this carnival to take place beyond the carnival. These measures have served the carnival well over the past decade thanks to community efforts as well constant support from authorities.