Are you …let’s say living in Europe??? Okay okay…at least like me, thinking about visiting??! I’m right on now huh! Well I don’t know anybody who wouldn’t like to travel! Well actually I can think of one or two people but it is obviously the minority. I bet everyone has that secret country we would like to visit and just experience everything it has to offer!
Well now, I will share an “affair” I’m hoping to attend sometime in the near future: “The Carnival of Basel” is the biggest carnival in Switzerland and takes place annually between February and March in Basel. It has been listed as one of the top fifty local festivities in Europe.
What gets the attention the most about this carnival are the different component of it, you have the costumes, the cortege, the sujet and the confetti. Everything part of a well structured line of events. Another peculiar fact in my opinion is that during the morning events the participants choose a theme where usually refers to recent events around the world and are presented in a sarcastic manner well you have to remember is a carnival after all; the financial crisis has been an important theme during past celebrations.
The Basel Carnival opened on Monday with the “Morgestraich” at 4am with tens of thousands taking part in the dark taking control of the streets while it lasts, displaying a clear separation between participants and spectators.
While the participants wear grotesque masques and colorful costumes, the music is mostly fifes and drums, reminiscent of military soldiers and some other political characterization . And although the whole thing lasts only 3 days its full of entertainment, concerts, exhibitions; you could even be dining at a restaurant one of the traditional specialties “flour soup” and get a serenade from the groups that go around playing their music.
During this 72 hours they will dominate the old town of central Basel, running free in the streets and corners doing their thing. Isn’t cool the carnival is often referred to as “the three most beautiful days”
Now on a more serious note the Carnival is also known as “the only Protestant carnival in the world” having in mind it is celebrated during a time of silence and retreat for most Catholics this can be somewhat bius depending where you live I guess. However, the insanity of other carnivals isn’t part of the more staid Basel event.
Enjoy the images! courtesy of my brother in law who is taking his well deserved vacations in none other that in Basel.
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