Basel Carnival 2007
The Basel Carnival is recognized as the largest and most elaborate tradition in Switzerland. the three Carnival days are called as Die drey scheenschte Dääg meaning the 3 wonderful beautiful days of Basel.
On the Monday after Ash Wednesday, the people of Basel are up and about as early as 3 o’ clock in the morning. Special trains arrive from Zurich and Berne. As the clock strikes 4am, the city descends into darkness, as the cliques and smaller groups, the Schiessdräggzigli, pour out of their houses. The leaders of each clique, as well as its piccolo(a special type of flute) players and drummers, wear individual charivari, a special costume with a mask topped by a lantern. These small lanterns and the enormous lantern banner borne by four men are the only source of light in these early hours of the morning. The musicians all play the Morgenstreich march, which has its origins in the call to arms for the troops of the Confederation. They then play the alte Schwiizer, marches from Ordinance for the Swiss Troops of 1819. We stayed over at A&D's place on sunday to be able to have the energy and motivation to see the Parade at 4 am, n Yes this time we did manage to see it , was really nice n eerie to find streets lit up with lantern parade. there was also a special Bollywood Lantern, check it out at in my snaps. the special food on this day is Mehlsuppe with Zwiebel Wähe, (some sort of Flour soup with onion pie), i liked the pie but the soup was not to my taste.
in the afternoon all the groups appear again in the special costumes of their groups. Also featured now are the brass ensembles, playing what has been known since 1911 as Guggen music. They deliberately create a cacophony, and their arrangements are accompanied by a wide selection of percussion instruments. Since 1840, the evening has been the time for the recital of topical rhymes and songs known as Schnitzelbänke, and the Gässle, a tour of the city by cliques, small groups or individuals. the best part what i like was the dressed up wagon people throwing gifts, Not only children but old people as well gather stuff, the wagons throw loads of oranges, flowers, chocolates, sweets, soft toys, household stuff and even carrots and onions. The last collage shows you the goodies we managed to gather. these people parade down along with the music groups, but if u r not lucky you land up with so much confetti all over you. I really njoyed it!
On Carnival Tuesday, people are once again free to parade in the streets as they please. The evening belongs to the Guggen musicians. On Wednesday, there is again an open parade, the Cortège.
Checl out all the Snaps of this event by clicking here
On the Monday after Ash Wednesday, the people of Basel are up and about as early as 3 o’ clock in the morning. Special trains arrive from Zurich and Berne. As the clock strikes 4am, the city descends into darkness, as the cliques and smaller groups, the Schiessdräggzigli, pour out of their houses. The leaders of each clique, as well as its piccolo(a special type of flute) players and drummers, wear individual charivari, a special costume with a mask topped by a lantern. These small lanterns and the enormous lantern banner borne by four men are the only source of light in these early hours of the morning. The musicians all play the Morgenstreich march, which has its origins in the call to arms for the troops of the Confederation. They then play the alte Schwiizer, marches from Ordinance for the Swiss Troops of 1819. We stayed over at A&D's place on sunday to be able to have the energy and motivation to see the Parade at 4 am, n Yes this time we did manage to see it , was really nice n eerie to find streets lit up with lantern parade. there was also a special Bollywood Lantern, check it out at in my snaps. the special food on this day is Mehlsuppe with Zwiebel Wähe, (some sort of Flour soup with onion pie), i liked the pie but the soup was not to my taste.
in the afternoon all the groups appear again in the special costumes of their groups. Also featured now are the brass ensembles, playing what has been known since 1911 as Guggen music. They deliberately create a cacophony, and their arrangements are accompanied by a wide selection of percussion instruments. Since 1840, the evening has been the time for the recital of topical rhymes and songs known as Schnitzelbänke, and the Gässle, a tour of the city by cliques, small groups or individuals. the best part what i like was the dressed up wagon people throwing gifts, Not only children but old people as well gather stuff, the wagons throw loads of oranges, flowers, chocolates, sweets, soft toys, household stuff and even carrots and onions. The last collage shows you the goodies we managed to gather. these people parade down along with the music groups, but if u r not lucky you land up with so much confetti all over you. I really njoyed it!
On Carnival Tuesday, people are once again free to parade in the streets as they please. The evening belongs to the Guggen musicians. On Wednesday, there is again an open parade, the Cortège.
Checl out all the Snaps of this event by clicking here
posted by Nidhi at 2/27/2007 10:03:00 am
2 Comments:
Hey Nidhi!
Very nice and elaborate post about the carnival! I loved to see the spirit of people even at 4am in a cold winter-morning! All pictures are really nice, specially the one where u have ur "loot" with you;-) It all looks so full of colours, must have been great fun! Maybe next time we'll be there too:-)
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Hi Noopur!
It would really be great to have you guys over for the next Carnival, its real fun! Though the getting up part at 4 am don't know if sonepat wd be able do manage it ;))
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Post a Comment
<< Home