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

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler

When I was a child, Father Christmas, or Santa if you prefer, used to come on the night between 24th and 25th December.

But in Europe, things aren’t the same everywhere. Many countries celebrate during the evening of the 24th, and the Spanish (amongst others) celebrate the 6th of January as the day when the kings arrive.

In Switzerland, 6th December is the day that the man in red turns up.

Bearing gifts for the Children, he doesn’t sneak down the chimney, but comes through the front door. Or maybe to school.

And he doesn’t come alone. His sidekick, Schmutzli, leaves no doubt as to which side of the good cop/ bad cop divide he is on.

Generally you won’t be able to see Schmutzli’s face, and Santa’s conversation with the children is generally along the lines of "Now have you been good this year, or would you like to talk to the scary bloke?"

But hey, when your given Satsumas, Peanuts and Chocolate, what self-respecting child could want more?

The tradition works for adults too, in many offices desks will cower under the weight of the afore-mentioned goodies, meaning that cleaning staff have the great task of clearing up the peanut shells…

There often parades, like the one in the photo, in many towns and villages, so wherever you are, keep a look out for Samichlaus. And his mate.

Note: "a mate" for the English means a friend; not someone we want to mate with…

Post from: The Switzerland Traveler