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 | Swiss carnival - Fasnacht |
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| It's party time! |
Reaching the end of winter, in late February or beginning of March, it's time for carnival or Fasnacht in German in many towns of usually Catholic cantons. Carnival in Switzerland is mainly constituted of parades, amazing costumes with masks and talented musicians. The Swiss population take the carnival very seriously and it is told that some carnival groups practice the whole year long to give the very best of themselves.
Basel's Fasnacht is the most prominent and biggest one in the country. It has even been rated in Europe's top 50 best local festivities and is internationally renown. Basel's Fasnacht starts on the Monday after Ash Wednesday with what they call the Morgestraich: at exactly 4am the lights of the city are turned off and cortèges with illuminated lanterns parade in the streets of Basel until daylight. The main parades are actually on Monday and Wednesday afternoon. The Tuesday afternoon is reserved for the children's parade.
Lucerne's and Fribourg's Fasnacht are also quite impressive. Carnival in Lucerne is popular for being more noisy and energetic than Basel's one. It also lasts longer, 6 days to be precise and starts on Dirty Thursday with it's end on Ash Wednesday. |
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Fasnacht clique
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Waggis on truck
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Waggi throwing confettis
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Cortège in the street
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| Swiss carnival dates |
Below are listed the official dates for next year's carnival in Basel and Lucerne.
- Basel: to be announced beginning 2011
- Lucerne: to be announced beginning 2011
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