Carnival 2024: The best time in Lucerne and Basel in comparison

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On February 8, at exactly five o’clock, the carnival begins with the Big Bang in Lucerne. The imaginary head of Lucerne’s largest and oldest guild sails on the “Schmotzigen Donnschtig” from Lake Lucerne towards Schweizerhofquai. This movement gives the signal to the Guuggemusigen and all carnival participants to start the carnival. Afterwards, everyone gathers at Kapellplatz for the traditional “Fötzelirääge” and orange throwing ceremony.

The people of Basel need to be patient until February 19. But we set off with Morgenstraich at four in the morning. All of Basel meets in the city to take part in a procession called the Cortège (procession). Each clique (everyone actively participating in the parade) pokes fun at a current topic, presenting their topic using giant lanterns: a unique light show. From then on, every Basel resident will be able to enjoy the “three beautiful Dääg im Johr”.

When it comes to language, the people of central Switzerland are particularly fond of the names “Guuggenmusigen”. For example, they are called: Rosswöschwyber (they come from Ruswil, where Rosswöschstrasse is located) or Ringligüüsser (from Willisau with the famous Ringli) or Wegenegosler from Nebikon, through which the Wigger (river) flows. IIn Lucerne, carnival people make fun of public figures with masques (masks). Many Guuggenmusigen also choose a fantasy motto, which is subject to costume and face paint. The order of the different Guuggenmusigen is traditionally structured, as the older “musigen” are allowed to go further in the process. First those in the jubilee year, then by age.

Traditional carnival pastries Fasnachtschüechli are called Chnöiblätze in Lucerne. These are especially popular during folk festival. The favorite drink of the carnival people is Kafi-Träsch (with stone fruit liqueur) or Kafi-Zwätschge. It starts up and heats up quickly. first big one The parade in the city of Lucerne takes place on Schmotzigen Donnschtig. It stretches from the Hofkirche over the pier to Neustadt. Another important event is the Monster Corso in Güdis on Tuesday evening. With this final parade of all Guuggenmusigen the carnival gradually comes to an end. Lent then begins on Ash Wednesday.

If you’re not into a Blaggedde, you’ll definitely be stuffed with lots of Waggis’ Räppli. What this means is that if you want to go to the Basel carnival and return home relatively unscathed, you need to buy an up-to-date plaque/badge so people with their big larvae (masks) don’t flood you with confetti. In order to correspond to the imagined subject, a multi-colored costume is usually sewn on the cliques and, more importantly, a uniform larva (mask) is made. During the cortege, the audience must stand aside to avoid disturbing the cliques or the Gugge musicians. In general, you should never fill masked people with Räppli. Otherwise, the purpose is just to have fun.

There are three traditional dishes at Basel Fasnacht: flour soup, Zibelewaihe and Käswaihe with a beer or a glass of white wine. But of course there is also a sausage stand on every corner where you can eat the best Klöpfer (Cervelat). Restaurant Kunsthalle Basel: Here you can find the best homemade flour soups Zibelewaie and Käswaie. Guggen concert: Tuesday evening in the market square, Barfüsserplatz and Claraplatz. Schnitzelbängg: You can listen anywhere in the city.

Source : Blick