Morning walk along the Rhine

This morning as I walked along the Rhine the sun was low and provided beautiful color. The Rathaus (city hall) has rich red sandstone but the early morning light made it stand out even more.

Happy New Year 2012

I welcomed the New Year in Basel, Switzerland. The Swiss are sticklers for time, the city’s fireworks launched at exactly midnight.

 

A million candles

Tonight more than 100 places in Switzerland displayed candles in support of “Eine Million Sterne,” a Caritas initiative to express solidarity with the poor in Switzerland and around the world. Here are some photos of the candle displays and Christmas lights in the center of Basel’s Old Town.

 

Basel at night

The other night with a full moon I went out to take a few photos of Basel, Switzerland.
Basel Munster

Bridges over the Rhine

Les Trois Rois hotel

I can finally sleep, Fasnacht is over.

I can finally sleep, Fasnacht is over. For the past three days Basel has been engulfed in Fasnacht 2010. (see my photos of Fasnacht on Flickr) Fasnacht is an annual event that has between 15,000 and 20,000 participants and up to 500,000 spectators. This truly Swiss carnival starts on the Monday after Ash Wednesday at precisely 4:00 am. At that moment, all of the street lights in the old town are turned off and the "Three Most Beautiful days" begin. Fasnacht is the Protestant's way of poking fun at the Catholics, by holding a carnival during Lent.

On Monday and Wednesday afternoon, Cliques (groups of participants) parade through the old city. Months before Fasnacht, the Cliques determine their themes, and design costumes, masks, and lanterns to represent the themes. As they march they hand out explanatory leaflets written in the Basel dialect.

During the parade I work my way thought the crowd photographing the marching bands, floats and spectators. Spectators read the handouts that describe the Clique's Sujet (theme). Masked characters known as Waggis toss confetti, covering spectators, and from time to time me and my camera. It's all in fun. The Waggis also hand out treats ranging from oranges and flowers to small bottles of schnapps.

Monday evening the large lanterns pulled by the Cliques are parked on the Munsterplatz (the square in front of the cathedral). This is a chance for me, the spectators and Clique's members to have a close look at the messages on the lanterns and the fabulous workmanship.

The children's parade is on Tuesday afternoon. On Monday and Tuesday evening the Kellers (cellars where the Cliques meet) are opened as bars for Schnitzelbängg, which is singing and acting out humorous sayings and jingles about current events and happenings from the past year. I don't understand the Basler dialect but watching the way the crowd respond to the comedians it is clear that the rhythmic lyrics lead up to a punch line that really hits the spot.

Gässle is the wandering through the narrow alleyways of the old city by masked individuals and groups at all hours of the day and night. As they play fifes and drums, spectators march behind them. Fasnacht continues until exactly 4 am Thursday morning. When the clock strikes four this time the city falls silent. I can go back to sleep.

For information on Fasnacht 2011 see www.fasnachts-comite.ch