My hometown of Basel, Switzerland harbours an ancient tradition of Carnival. Except it’s usually a week or so different in timing compared to the carnivals in Germany that happen around the same time. They call it ‘Fasnacht’.

For 3 days, the entire city comes to a halt and celebrates, satirizes and somehow still is able to clean up all the confetti in time for work to resume the next morning.

Even more bizarre, Carnival in this city starts at 4 am sharp. Everyone in the city gathers in town and the lights are shut off. Then, slowly but surely the sound of the flutes and drums takes hold of the tiny streets and a myriad of lanterns light the path as ‘Morgenstreich’ comes into full swing. Then you have a bit of beer and some flour soup and nap until the parade in the afternoon. It’s wild and I’m glad it’s only once a year, even if it means finding confetti in your socks/purses and drawers for months to come (it literally ends up everywhere).

This year was special as it was the first time my husband and son experienced it. Not something we know in Canada and they loved how absolutely absurd it all was.

Are there any unusual traditions where you’re from?

Cheers,

MJ

MJ photo credit.