Hi everyone,

I read today that Fasnacht started this morning in Zurich, with some kind of concert in the old town...I thought this was a carnival that happened in March? What's it all about? I don't get it....

Thanks.

St. Martin's day ("Martini") is on November 11th and traditionally marked the end of the summer season for farmers - see also Martini Goose, Martini markets etc. etc.

Through convoluted historical processes (probably well explained on Wikipedia) it also came to mark the official beginning of carneval festivities (11 is some kind of "special" number for those who believe in it), which culiminate on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday (as in Mardi Gras and so on).

I got to see Zurich Fasnacht start a few years ago in Hirschenplatz. It was fun with lots people crammed into the square, dressed in costumes for their Guggemusik groups. I guess it's not a very big thing in Zurich, but I hear Basel and Luzern have really famous ones (but on different dates).

Maybe next year will be a little special, since Zurich's starts at 11:11 on 11-11 and it will be 2011.

The Basler Fasnacht starts on Monday 14 March 2011.

Zämme Fägts is the motto

Source

Luzern Fasnacht starts at 5:00 am tomorrow! I better go book some time off.

Thursday's is a big day, events go on all day and drinking goes late into the night. Bring a costume if you have one and head for old town.

Or the Saturday after Ash Wednesday, as is the case here.

http://www.orpenagin.ch/Pagina%20PROGRAMMA.htm

Tom

Yes Basel Fasnacht starts next Monday at 04:00am. I was at a little gathering yesterday evening which gave some explanation about the whole thing- there was music and food to taste- was lovely.
I think I'll be avoiding the manic Monday though and bring the kids in to see the children's parade on Tues.
What are your thoughts about this celebration? Have you been before?
Just interest to hear what people make of the whole thing.

Kid's parade much friendlier for children. Encourage them to dress up, and take a bag for sweets!

The Gugge concert is also fun (Tuesday evening).

The great thing about Basel fasnacht is that it is different to the others, date-wise, so you can get to see several others around CH which are all the week before.

However, Basel fasnacht is more *ahem* cultural, than the Mardis-Gras style of e.g. Luzern, so it does take itself a little (more) seriously with its protocols...

Consider also the Leistal fasnacht on Sunday night before Basel (so 13th March). They have a fire parade through the old town.

You might find it a little quiet if you go next Monday (or Tuesday).

Basel Fasnact starts 14th March.

However, don't let next week be a washout. It's pancake Tuesday on the 8th.

Ya Know... We "could" have an EF Faschnact..... DOH!
Well... maybe not such a good idea...

However there "is" Karaoke on Friday Night...

You making?

Actually for kids the Fasnacht celebrations outside of Basel in the towns of Basel Land are often a good option - you can do the whole parade, music, throwing stuff, getting sweets stuff but it generally only lasts for an hour or so, kids can dress up and afterwards there's lots of milling around eating sausages and drinking nice things.

Aesch and Reinach Fasnacht is this weekend. The main parade in Reinach is on Saturday 5th, in Aesch it's on Sunday 6th, both start at 2pm - if the weather is like today it's definitely worth a trip to the end of the 11 tram.

MOnday week.

Ooops- I was very lonely all alone last Monday morning, Fasnacht Basel this Mon, Tue, Wed-

Aiaiaaia, you should not be on the internet at this time tonight - you should be in Leistal, having just watched the traditional fire parade!!!! Then you come back to town, to wait till the 4am start of Basel's Fasnacht.

Fixed that for you

Hello everybody,

Here are some information about fasnacht events in basel-land i gathered while i was working on my app.

http://www.std.comxa.com/BaselFasnacht.pdf

For Iphone owners, you can downlaod the app for free using the promocodes,Just PM me and i will send you one.

http://itunes.apple.com/uk/app/basel...424227095?mt=8#

As far as I know, Fasnacht all over Switzerland coincides with the "Mardi Gras" and "Carnivale" the world over, except for Canton Zurich which is one week later. This having something to do with the Reform calendar instead of the Catholic calendar.

If you have kids, find your local Kinder Umzeug (Kid Parade) time. And bring a bag for all the sweets that get thrown to them. Also, expect to find confetti *everywhere* for the next few weeks.

So the carnage can continue a week after Basel can it?

I went to Liestal for the second time, enjoyed the Allschwill one and yesterday listening to the guuge music. I love it. (even though I am still finding rappli in places I would never have dreamed of )

Basel is also a week later.

Also, parts of Ticino which are Ambrosian (Milanese) rite continue until sunrise on the following Sunday, which is the start of Lent in that rite.

Tom