Switzerland is a land of living heritage, with different traditional events happening throughout the year. Explore the most impressive festivities.
Carnival is an integral part of Basel's identity. Culturally speaking, it is at the heart of its creative energies and represents three days when the city goes entirely wild. Lasting from Monday to Thursday following Ash Wednesday, the "Fasnacht" is recognized as the largest popular festival in Switzerland, with some 15, to 20, masked participants taking part.
These bestial creatures are in fact locals from the valley wearing large pieces of sheepskin, with a cow bell "Trichla" usually hanging down from their leather belt. Hiding behind their handmade wooden masks, they frighten passersby and play pranks.
This tradition sometimes became so reckless that the Church repeatedly had to prohibit it. Since it marked the beginning of springtime, the first ringing of the bell provided a good opportunity for a celebration. In the 19th century, a new main protagonist was added to the celebration. To impose dominance, their heads clash and horns lock, each cow trying to get a good hold.
Then they stand firmly and push with all their strength, the stronger one forcing the weaker to retreat. In addition to these spontaneous clashes on the pastures, there are also organised fights to determine a regional and cantonal queen. Natural yodelling exists all over the world, but especially in mountainous and inaccessible regions where the technique was used to communicate over extended distances. Although yodelling was probably used back in the Stone Age, the choir singing only developed in the 19th century.
