really? wow didn't realise that!!

Baslers take their fasnacht very, very seriously. The town closes down during the events and businesses are also closed - even those in Basel Land. You'll hear on the streets people wishing each other a good fasnacht, it is as much of an event here as Christmas and New Year rolled into one!

Yep the fasnacht really is the marmite of international carnivals. I loved when I saw it the first time 22 years ago, and I still love it enough to come every year from London and drum in a Clique. I can't put into words how excited I am at the prospect of flying to Basel tomorrow morning to be a part of it again. So watch out, for a (tiny) minority of people, it really is life-changing. ps I'm in the Schnurrebegge, we start from the Fischerstube in Rheingasse. We're a big old clique but it's easy to find me, I'm wearing a gorilla suit and talking English. You see? Where else do you get to write sentences like that?

Just thought I'd share some of my hubby's pics from Fasnacht 2011. It was our first and we loved it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johngow...th/5541010426/

Hi,

thanks for sharing the pictures. I have been living in Basel for 21 years and so you are so right about it being the marmite of festivals. It is not so bad now that do I not live in the city centre but it is certainly a great relief to me when it is over. I had a great Fasnacht this year and did not hear a single piccolo or drum....heaven. I always used to leave Basel when it is on, but there are quite a few people who come back just for those few days...of course they pass all others escaping Basel who are heading for the slopes.

So pictures without sound for me is the best way to enjoy Fasnacht.

Have fun

Martin

Never mind, Martin. The last Bummelsonntag is tomorrow - so you can always catch up on what you missed

Cheers,
Nick

Hi,

I loved your pictures. FWIW I'm also in a Fasnacht Clique - I know of one other Brit who takes part...

Here are some of the pics I took on my way around this year:

Morgenstraich: http://www.rebgasse.com/reblog/?p=397
Cortége: http://www.rebgasse.com/reblog/?p=399
Dienstag Anggeschnitte: http://www.rebgasse.com/reblog/?p=401
Ladaarne Ausstellung: http://www.rebgasse.com/reblog/?p=403
Mittwoch: http://www.rebgasse.com/reblog/?p=405

Cheers,
Nick

We stay right in kleinbasel so the sound was deafening!! Til 3 or 4 am every day and night. But for a few days it wasn't too much of an inconvenience. Although I do flinch now everytime I hear a drum.......

having been a jobbing drummer/vocalist for over forty years, i have to say I,ve never heard such a total cacophony as fasnacht! i dont know why these people rehearse, - they're out of tune and out of time. the whole thing sounds like someone's chucked a loaded tea trolley and a sack of tomcats down a steel fire escape!!

Tried earplugs? They work perfectly!

I live on the corner of Barfi, so also had Fastnacht quite loudly constantly for the 3 days... but earplugs meant a peaceful sleep even with several 60-man brass-bands right outside my window....

As long as I can still get my sleep, living in city center is fantastic - ALSO during fasnacht

@Aryans: Would you mind explaining that groan please?

Cheers,
Nick

It must be a slip up when using an iPhone or something similar. There's no way you deserve a groan for that post

I am sorry for that. I was doing thru my phone and it slipped. I really liked the pix

Hey Guys, I was thinking if it could be an experience participating in this festival the next time. Does anyone know if they even allow outsiders to participate. I also dont like the first days music but the guggi is cool and the fasnacht drinking (taking regular breaks ) with it. If you guys could help me get into a group you know of ... please let me know. Ciao

Talk to Nick (he's posted in this thread), he's a member of a clique.

Hi,

With stealth's permisson I am responding to a request for info on the original thread - so others can have the info.

@Stealth:

You mentioned about joining a Gugge (brass instruments) rather than a clique (fife and drum) - I would suggest you read the following FAQ so you know what the difference is:

http://www.rebgasse.com/reblog/?p=9

To find a Gugge, I recommend you have a look at this site:

http://www.gugge-ig-basel.ch/cms/

Here you can search the different Gugge - the entries give details about the make-up of each Gugge and whether they are looking for members as well as contact details.

For the cliques, Google for "clique" and Basel - I have yet to find a list of them all but will post a link if I find one. Most cliques have a website and again you can find one that you fancy joining. At the moment my clique needs piccolo players - if you don't mind playing with old farts.

With any of the Cliques or Gugge, you will need to show a level of commitment - i.e. turning up to practice and helping out with preparations. It also helps if you can speak a bit of German as everything is Baseldytsch.

If you have any more specific questions I will try my best to answer.

Cheers,
Nick