Erin Eagleman

It’s the time of year when confetti litters our entryway floor and we fall asleep to rhythmic concoctions of piccolos and drums. Business in Basel shuts down for three days but Baselers are out and about for 72 hours of marching, socializing, cheering and partying. Adults and children alike dress bright colors and big masks.

It’s Fasnacht time!

This was my second year attending Basel’s Fasnacht activities though our path was nothing like last year’s. In 2011 Erik and I rose early for the Morgestraich. On a pitch-black morning we followed the beating drums all the way into the old streets of downtown Basel where at 4am the street power promptly turned off and the marching began. At the time I was pregnant with Priska and remember worrying that the drums were so loud and intense that they might be bad for her developing little ears. Goosebumps and chills ran through me when the city went black—all we could see were each Cliques’ lanterns and all we could hear were the deep, strong drum beats that resonated through the tiny streets. It was so special to witness this long-lived celebration; Baslers doing what they’ve done, what their parents, grandparents and beyond have done, for years. Also, a great addition to our Fasnacht experience last year was family— my brother-in-law and sister-in-law were in town visiting for a few days and it was so much fun to explore the city and all it’s craziness with them. Fast forward a year: we skipped Morgestraich; we avoided the crowded procession downtown; we didn’t stay up late; instead of sticking my belly out to part the spectators, this time I used a stroller and made way with the cutest little spectator of my own.

This year was different mainly because of the babe. And while we didn’t run around town like maniacs, we thoroughly enjoyed sharing Fasnacht with Priska, showing her the lanterns, floats and costumes. Little lady was ready for anything with sound deadening ear muffs and her Fasnacht plakette. (Everyone wears an official pin or you’re a) picked out as a non-Basler and b) liable to be ambushed with loads of confetti. Then again, I wear my pin each year and still manage to return home with confetti coming out of my ears, so…) And I think Priska made out with more goodies than E and I have in all of our Fasnacht years combined. I guess she’s just so darn cute that the Waggis’ have a difficult time not giving her treats.She was such a great festival buddy and a real trooper letting us spend time each day amongst the madness. Her ear muffs even ensured that napping-in-the-stroller-time wasn’t missed and they allowed us the chance to stand extra close to the Cortège.

If you’d like an in-depth description about Fasnacht and it’s history, here’s one I found from Wikipedia. It actually reads pretty correctly (from what I can tell) and breaks the event down in a way that’s easy to understand and interesting, to boot!

The costumes are always fantastic and never cease to amaze me. I joke that it’s impossible to take a bad photo at this event because the colors are over the top and the masks are so full of emotion. And I love, I just love how all ages participate in this three-day, city-wide event. Children’s day is generally the second day of Fasnacht, complete with a children’s parade and lots of tiny people dressed in mini versions of the their elders’ costumes. And since one doesn’t remove their mask while marching during Fasnacht it’s pretty tough to guess ages of the participants. My only clue thus far has been hands. I’ve found that peeking at drumming hands or piccolo-playing hands or orange-throwing hands has leant a slight idea as to the age of person under the costume. And let me tell you—all ages play, march, dance and party!

These sweet little girls are doing what most children can be seen doing during Fasnacht – mimicking the marchers by throwing confetti, or Räppli here in Basel, at spectators. However, interesting little side note: reusing Räppli is seen as super bad form and to prevent this from happening one can only purchase single colored Räppli. So, if you’ve attended Fasnacht here in Basel and been showered with multi-colored Räppli you can be sure it was reused. Nice.