Basler Fasnacht
February 18 to 20th, 2002

The Fasnacht in Basel is one of Switzerland's most famous and impressive traditional events, but it actually is not in the traditional sense a "carnival." It is not held on Mardi Gras, but rather takes place on the Monday before Ash Wednesday and traditionally had an air of Protestant defiance since many surrounding Catholic areas were just beginning a period of fasting (Lent).

Fasnacht is not a party for the young alone, but involves the participation of just about everyone in the city. The highlight is the Morgenstreich (morning prank). Beginning at around 2:30 a.m. on Monday morning (February 18this year) people begin moving towards the center of the action, the streets of the old town. At precisely 4 a.m. the lights go out throughout the entire city. A spectacular procession of lanterns begins. This moment is said to be emotional and breathtaking.

Fasnacht societies (known as cliques) bring out highly inventive lanterns which are sometimes several meters high (They don't call Basel Switzerland's most creative city for nothing!). The lanterns are born through the street, accompanied by Guggenmusik until the sun comes up at around 6 a.m. People then go home for a short nap until the next major event, which is the Cortege that begins on Monday at 1:30. At the end of the day the lanterns are deposited at the Muensterplatz (Cathedral Square).

How to attend: The most convenient way to arrive in town is to take the train in and to reserve a hotel room for Sunday and Monday nights and to spend the two days in town. The Swiss Rail system will also run special late night trains into Basel (check with the Swiss Rail for times) for those who would like to go out just for the evening, arriving at around 2 a.m. and departing again the next morning. For those driving in, here are numerous Park and Drive locations around town, but it is important to get there early (around 2 a.m.) because public transport runs only until 3:15 a.m. At that point the entire town begins to fall quiet in preparation for the Morgenstreich procession.

More on Fasnacht
A website not to miss!
http://www.fasnachts-comite.ch
The Fasnacht Committee Website, wonderful entertaining flash animation: Gives you a great preview of some of the sites and sounds of the event!

More basic information in German: www.fasnacht.ch

Basel tourist office: 061.268.6868

Carnival Celebrations Closer to Geneva
(All within one to two hour's drive)

Carnival Payerne
The 15, 16, 17 and 18, February 2002
The largest carnival of its kind in French-speaking Switzerland, this popular event has its roots in ancient times. The highlight of the four day nonstop four-day program is the "Super Cortege Carnavalesque," a procession of 30 elaborately costumed floats and guggenmusik bands.

The party continues in the streets of Payerne throughout the afternoon and evening. On Monday, the town is turned over to an early feminist tradition, the Nuit des Chineuses (Night of the hunters) when women wear masks and "tell the truth about men." There is an entry fee of 10 CHF for the events on Sunday afternoon.

The calendar for this event and more information are available on the website: http://www.brandonspayerne.ch

More Information: Payerne Tourist Office: 026.660.661 Payerne Website: www.payerne.ch

Carnival Grandson-Les Brandons
March 2 and 3, 2002

The Grandson event is one of the most popular on the Lake Geneva Region's attractive carnival calendar. A wonderful weekend of music and merrymaking. The highlight of this colorful winter's end celebration is the burning of Le Bonhomme Hiver, a large straw man, who is suspended from the walls of the chateau and set alight! Hence the name of the festival - Les Brandons - which comes from the German word to burn.

Grandson Tourist Office: 024 445 29 26

Last Updated: February, 2002