The Switzerland Traveler

Easter is early this year, and so, therefore, is Fasnacht.

Literally, Night of the Fast, it represents time to go mad (that’s my interpretation) before the fasting period of Lent kicks in.

That’s the theory, except of course it wouldn’t be much fun if all the parties were on the same night – like you have to have at New Year. So the pragmatic Swiss arrange to have their pre-Lent festivals at slightly staggered times.

And it’s a family occasion (thus qualifying for our b5 theme day) so everybody can dress up.

Typically there will be an Umzug, or parade, for children on the Sunday, when the little ones get to paint their faces, dress up in crazy costumes – which have to be warm, this is winter remember, and throw confetti over any adults they pass in the street.

The adults on the other hand, have two approaches to Fasnacht:

One involves being incredibly serious, often with a political context. For example this year there has been a massive outcry about racism and a certain political party, and I wouldn’t mind betting that black and white sheep (because of their advertising campaign) will feature heavily in some parades.

But the Fasnacht that I love tends to happen in the evenings through to the early (or late) morning. Again, wild costumes feature, but these are fun, incredibly detailed and intricate, and worn by people marching through the streets playing drums, pipes and brass instruments.

I would have to use the term music loosely, but Guggemusik is a genre on its own, and has to be heard to be believed. Think  loud, and slightly out of tune – I often think it’s a race to see which member of the band can finish first. After all, there are drinks in the bar at stake.

As you can see, the effort taken is immense. And as the whole of Fasnacht covers most of February, there really is time to involve the whole family.

Ask me if you need dates for a particular region.

Photos: shirasade, kelko, technicolor

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