Fasnact in Basel
Here is yet another story, yet another day, yet another event, of this wonderful winter festival fasnacht.
Today was Basel’s turn to show what they are made of! My host Mum and I awoke at 1.15am so we could catch the train at 2am to Basel. We arrived in Basel at around 3:30am and secured a spot to watch the morning celebration. As we waited for 4 o’clock (the start of the event) to come I looked around me and was so shocked to see so many people. Really I have never seen so many people in the one area in my whole life. Every space of ground had at least 2 people on it, I didn't even realize Switzerland had so may people willing to get up at 2am.
At 4am all of the cities lights turned out. Then there was a roar of people and the music began. Groups of performs marched around the streets holding aloft lanterns while playing their drums or piccolos. Those who had no hands free for their lantern had attached it onto their head. This created an effect of floating lights gliding down the street. Each performer was also dressed in a costume and a hand made mask. The effect was breath taking.
After watching the groups all march through the street we then went for a walk around Basel. The most wonderful thing was that everywhere you went you could here piccolos and drums and see different performance groups playing their music. Each group also had a huge big illuminated banner with a group motto. These looked just wonderful against the dark night sky.
This Fasnacht celebration was a lot softer and calmer than the one I had yesterday in Niederbipp. Yet the effect of this even was just as good. After the celebration we joined the crowds and went and had a Fasnacht onion pie to warm up. We then listed to some more music and then went home....and went to sleep
Today was Basel’s turn to show what they are made of! My host Mum and I awoke at 1.15am so we could catch the train at 2am to Basel. We arrived in Basel at around 3:30am and secured a spot to watch the morning celebration. As we waited for 4 o’clock (the start of the event) to come I looked around me and was so shocked to see so many people. Really I have never seen so many people in the one area in my whole life. Every space of ground had at least 2 people on it, I didn't even realize Switzerland had so may people willing to get up at 2am.
At 4am all of the cities lights turned out. Then there was a roar of people and the music began. Groups of performs marched around the streets holding aloft lanterns while playing their drums or piccolos. Those who had no hands free for their lantern had attached it onto their head. This created an effect of floating lights gliding down the street. Each performer was also dressed in a costume and a hand made mask. The effect was breath taking.
After watching the groups all march through the street we then went for a walk around Basel. The most wonderful thing was that everywhere you went you could here piccolos and drums and see different performance groups playing their music. Each group also had a huge big illuminated banner with a group motto. These looked just wonderful against the dark night sky.
This Fasnacht celebration was a lot softer and calmer than the one I had yesterday in Niederbipp. Yet the effect of this even was just as good. After the celebration we joined the crowds and went and had a Fasnacht onion pie to warm up. We then listed to some more music and then went home....and went to sleep
3 Comments:
hey ange,
it soundas like it is so totally cool.... the photos are awesome...
OJ
Gerry Rodney and I have really enjoyed reading your Blog here in Canberra,
cheers from Stuart Miller
What a festival!!! It makes getting up at 4.00am to go and watch the New Year dawn over Oarai beach in Japan (Hi no de) seem somewhat tame!
Your host Mum desserves a medal, Angela....how wonderful she is, sharing all of these experiences with you.
Love Mum xxx
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