Basel Carnival*

*Inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the UNESCO

A jousting tournament from 1376 is documented as the oldest carnival event in Basel. Since then, Basel's carnival has changed constantly. In its current form, the "drei scheenschte Dääg (the tree nicest days)", as the carnival is called in Basel, have a great impact far beyond the city. On the Monday after Ash Wednesday, Basel residents and visitors from near and far gather at four in the morning. It is eerily quiet in the completely dark city center before the drum major gives the marching order "Morgenstreich vorwärts, Marsch!" and the costumed drummers and piccolo players open the carnival with their playing. Only the colourfully painted lanterns, parade lanterns transported on floats, and smaller head and stick lanterns bring some light to the dark city. On Monday and Wednesday afternoon, around 12,000 costumed participants parade through the city centre presenting countless subjects. Tuesday belongs to the children's masquerade and the “Guggenmusik”. A very special role at Basel Carnival is played by the hundred or so “Schnitzelbank” groups, who recite their illustrated mock verses in the restaurants and cellars. The Basel Fasnacht ends after exactly 72 hours on Thursday morning at four o'clock with a final march or piece of music, the “Endstraich”.

Oral expressions
Performing arts
Traditional craftsmanship