Count­down to the ​“drey scheenschte Dääg”

Ash Wednesday kicks off the countdown to the "drey scheenschte Dääg" (three most wonderful days of the year). Because on the following Monday, "Frau Fasnacht" returns to our beautiful Basel as a guest of honor and turns everything upside down for exactly 72 hours.

At 04:00 a.m. sharp, in total darkness, the command "Morgestraich: Forward, march!" echoes out. Illuminated, artistically handcrafted lanterns transform Basel's city center into a magical sea of lights. Thousands of pipers and drummers intonate the namesake march to start the "Morgestraich" and thus the Basler Fasnacht. The festivities continue until the "Ändstraich" at 04:00 a.m. on Thursday morning. What happens in between must be experienced. The Basler Fasnacht is filled with creativity, a wealth of ideas and sharp-tongued, socio-political criticism. An incomparable spectacle that is rightfully considered an intangible UNESCO World Heritage.

Coopers is rooted in Basel and we are very much looking forward to the coming week. Not only because we have active carnivalists in our team. It is also because we understand ourselves as part of the local community and are excited about the current themes and concerns of the people of Basel.

Morgestraich
When: Monday, 19.02.2024 at 04:00 a.m.
Where: Martinskirchplatz (start), Barfüsserplatz, Marktplatz, Rümelinsplatz, Falknerstrasse and Freie Strasse

Cortège (Parade)
When: Monday, 19. and Mi, 21.02.2024, 01.30–06.00 p.m.
Where: Basel city center (tour details here)

Kinderfasnacht
When: Tuesday, 20.02.2024, during daytime
Where: Basel city center

Guggenmusik
When: Tuesday, 20.02.2024, 06:30–11:00 p.m.
Where: Messeplatz (start, then Sternmarsch via Clarastrasse to Barfüsserplatz, Marktplatz and Claraplatz)

Schnitzelbängg
When: Evenings, 19.02. until 21.02.2024
Where: Restaurants, theaters, Cliquen cellars, private houses

Latern Exhibition
When: As of Monday evening, 19.02. until 21.02.2024
Where: Münsterplatz

Ändstraich
When: Thursday, 22.02.24 um 04:00 Uhr
Where: Basel city center

Hier is the detailed program of the Basel Carnival 2024.

Here is a brief carnival dictionary explaining the most important Swiss German expressions.

Blaggedde: Brooch made of bronze, silver, or gold. Every year there is a different design on the theme (sujet) of Fasnacht.

Chaise: A carriage pulled by two steeds. Two people dressed as old ladies sit in the carriage and give a flower or sweets to selected spectators.

Clique: A group of pipers and drummers.

Cortège: This is the official parade that takes place on Monday and Wednesday afternoons.

Gässle: To walk from one clique cellar to another in the alleys of the old town.

Gugge: This is a group of musicians who set the mood with brass and percussion instruments.

Ladärne: Lantern with the current theme (sujet) of the clique. The lanterns are displayed on the Münsterplatz from Monday evening to Wednesday morning.

Larve: The large heads under which the Fasnächtler:innen are. Better to not call it "masks".

Morgestraich: The official start of the carnival on Monday at 04:00 am. All the lights of the city go out and the cliques start playing their marches.

Mählsuppe: This traditional dish is served everywhere during the whole carnival.

Räppli: This is what the people of Basel call the small pieces of paper that are thrown into the air during Carnival. Better not call them "confetti"!

Schnitzelbangg: A core element of Carnival in Basel: word artists perform their sarcastic mocking rhymes about politics, society and world events with sharp-tongued humor in Basel-German.

Waggis: People dressed up in a blue shirt, white pants, and a red scarf. They also wear a typical Larve, have wooden shoes on and throw sweets and oranges from their waggon.

Zeedel: Colored paper which is handed out after the Schnitzelbangg performances or by the cliques during the parade.

The Carnival in Basel is both an intangible UNESCO World Heritage and the largest carnival in Switzerland. But of course, other places in Switzerland also celebrate to the fullest. Like here:

• Carnival in Bern 2024
  Thursday, 15.02.2024 until Saturday, 17.02.2024
  Hier is the program of the carnival in Bern 2024.

• ZüriCarneval
  Friday, 16.02.2024 until Sunday, 18.02.2024
  Hier is the program of the ZüriCarneval 2024.

• Brandons de Moudon (Waadt)
  Thursday, 29.02.2024 until Sunday, 12.03.2024
  Hier is the program of the Brandon de Moudon 2024.

Wherever you celebrate the carnival – have fun and an awesome, crazy, unforgettable time!

Your Coopers Family
#ingoodcompany

PS: Follow us on Instagram for a few impressions of the carnival in Basel.

Photos: SWB – Jasmin Jehle