Basel Fasnacht | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Post the Morgenstreich, we spent some more time in the alleyways around Marktplatz before heading to our hotel (Swissotel Le Plaza) to catch up on some sleep. A few hours of sleep and a hot bath later we were recharged and headed back to Marktplatz to watch the official afternoon procession - the Cortege.

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

The Cortege takes place on Monday and Wednesday afternoon and includes the participation of Cliques (groups of drummers and flutists), Gugge music bands, Chaisen (a carriage with costumed figures), Wagen (a wagon pulled by a vehicle and filled with candy, confetti and flowers) as well costumed individuals (Einzelmasken) who march alone.

Each year there is a chosen subject for the carnival. This year the subject of the Fasnacht was 'the post is getting off!'. It was meant to a pointer to the modernisation and changes taking place in the post office (system) in Switzerland particularly in Basel. The subject is also reflected in the Fasnacht badge which is sold all across the city. Proceeds from the sale of these badges are split amongst all the Cliques involved in the Fasnacht.

The Official Parade


The official parade (Cortege) began at 1:30 pm. The Fasnacht Committee decide on a set route every year and the carnival floats and members travel along these routes. Thousands of carnival participants in their colourful clothes marched through the streets to the sound of drums, piccolos and Gugge music. It was spectacular!

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege


Confetti was thrown on the spectators. Many floats distributed oranges, flowers, candies and many other things to the people who had lined up to watch the parade. I managed to get a mix of everything - flowers, oranges, sweets and a generous shower of colourful confetti as well. It was fun.

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege


Music!

I loved the music that filled the streets of Basel during the parade. We are back in the UK and I can still hear the music in my head, especially the Gugge band music which was awesome.

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

The streets were crowded in certain areas during the Fasnacht but the atmosphere was so friendly and civil. No drunken behaviour at all. Everyone just seemed to be having a good time and that is the best way to enjoy a carnival like this - just go with the flow, experiencing and absorbing the celebratory mood.

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege


Basel Fasnacht 2018 | Monday Afternoon Cortege

The procession lasted for around 2 hours after which it started to thin out. We spent a couple of hours wandering around the city's lively streets and alleyways before heading back to the hotel. We had to recharge ourselves before hitting the streets again for an evening of music!

Want more Switzerland stories? You might like to check out the Top things to do in the Olympic City of Lausanne.

44 comments:

  1. Amazing! Love all the costumes and masks - Mind you, I don't know whether I'd be scared or fascinated up close as they look so real!

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    1. The costumes and masks were awesome! Some of them are classic characters while some are fantasy - but all very well made.

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  2. Wow looks fantastic - the costumes are all amazing!

    Ashleigh

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  3. I was reading about this a while back, would love to go watch it some day

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  4. not sure I'd be comfortable seeing this lot at twilight though, eery stuff

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  5. What a great procession some great photos there.

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  6. I just love these folk festivals but this one pulls out all the stops. I particularly liked the Trump and Kim jon Un part.

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    1. They had many other floats depicting the current political scenario (especially featuring Trump and Kim).

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  7. Not sure how I would feel being surrounded by some of these masks... but I love the idea of the music filling the streets! (And the unicorn is adorable!)

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  8. Looks fabulous and the colourful costumes are amazing, bet there is a great atmosphere with all the music

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    1. Yes, Susan, great atmosphere all around - people were having fun and enjoying but no nuisance or disturbance at all. Very civil!

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  9. looks like everyones having a great time .love the out fits xxxx

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  10. This looks a bit scary to me with all those rather sinister masks

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    1. The masks might look scary but the carnival is a lot of fun.

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  11. I had a chuckle when I saw some of the costumes in this parade because I just know that my daughter would have gone running down the road screaming if I were to take her to see it!

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  12. these costumes and masks are awesome! I would love to go there

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    1. The people of Basel love their carnival and they spend months preparing the costumes and masks. It is a fun 3 days!

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  13. Love local and ancient carnivals and festivals - the weirder the better - this certainly looked like a really great day

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    1. Yes, it is quite ancient - according to some records it dates back to as early as the 14th Century!

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  14. That looks absolutely amazing and the streets don't look too packed, so you would actually be able to see the floats. Will put it in my diary for next time

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    1. Yes, it was very well organised and in spite of the carnival mood there was no ruckus of any sort (no drunken brawls, no fights). Everyone was civil. It was fun.

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  15. Great photography, looks great fun!

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  16. Such amazing costumes - not sure how I feel about so many scary clown masks though! Hopefully the sweets and confetting would help!

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    1. The costumes were fab. Some of the masks may seem scary but the mood is that of lots of fun and laughter. Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time. We enjoyed it.

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  17. heck what a fantastic giveaway and beautiful clothing tyvm x

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  18. They certainly know how to put on a parade...makes most of the carnivals in the UK look a bit lame!

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    1. Yes, a lot of preparation goes into the carnival/parade. And everyone gets into the fun spirit enjoying to the fullest.

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  19. wow! I play in a marching band but not with such wonderful costumes

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    1. Yes, the costumes were amazing. They prepare for the carnival for months to get everything ready and perfect.

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  20. What a colourful event! I can't decide whether those masks scare me or not. They are pretty amazing. x

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    1. Some of the masks were unusual and maybe a bit scary but the carnival was just pure fun!

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  21. This really looks like amazing fun. The costumes are fabulous.

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    1. Yes, it is a very well organised carnival and a lot of effort goes into the costumes etc.

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  22. This looks absolutely brilliant

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  23. Looks like you have a really fun afternoon - definitely adding this to my travel bucket list

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    1. If you can you should plan a visit next year. It is a wonderful carnival.

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  24. Such bright colours - what wonderful photos'

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  25. this looks like so much fun well worth an afternoon out

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  26. Obvious effort in those costumes. They're interesting and creepy at the same time

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  27. How interesting is this. The costumes look amazing but scary at the same time. Looks like a fun day.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, 3 days of fun. A lot of preparation and effort goes into getting the costumes ready. It is an amazing experience.

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