In Central Switzerland carnival events abound between Schmutziger Donnerstag (Dirty Thursday) and Güdeldienstag (Shrove Tuesday). The common goals are to have fun, play with societal roles and social identities, and make a lot of noise. Carnival in the city of Lucerne ranks especially high in terms of organisation, rituals and popularity. In some of the main rural areas, unique traditions have established themselves, with the nineteenth century seeing much of this change. The Katzenmusik march in Uri or the Nüssler dance in Schwyz provide good examples. In general carnival is one of the most popular festivals in all cantons of Central Switzerland.
The carnival procession in Lucerne in front of the Schweizerhof hotel, here transformed into Fritschihof © Emanuel Ammon/AURA, Luzern
The “Noggeler” carnival band in Lucerne, 2009 © Emanuel Ammon/AURA, Luzern
Brother Fritschi, the carnival character of Lucerne, in the procession of 1996 together with his wife © Emanuel Ammon/AURA, Luzern
Costumed ball in Willisau, Canton of Lucerne, 1976 © Emanuel Ammon/AURA, Luzern
Katzenmusik in the procession on Carnival Monday in Altdorf, 2011 © Rolf Gisler-Jauch, Altdorf
Katzenmusik on Winkelplatz square in Altdorf, ca 1900 © Archiv Fasnächtliches Uri
Carnival characters on the main square in Schwyz in 2011 just before the competition “Nüsslet” dancing © Stefan Dettling, Schwyz
Blätz, an original carnival character, mingling in Haug Cafe/Restaurant in Schwyz in 2011 © Stefan Dettling, Schwyz
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Fasnacht in der Zentralschweiz (PDF, 349 kB, 02.10.2024)Ausführliche Beschreibung
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Lozärner Fasnachtskomitee
Vereinigte Guggenmusigen Luzern