The Basler Fasnacht, its lanterns and sujets
2 March 2025
On Monday, March 10, at 04:00, the Martinskirche will herald the Basler Fasnacht with the Morgenstreich (Morgenstraich). This UNESCO Cultural Heritage (since 2017) has undergone many changes over the centuries and continues to evolve.
Collection: Museum der Kulturen Basel
The Museum der Kulturen in Basel, the Fasnachtcomité (and its annual publication Rädäbäng), and various other publications provide extensive information about this centuries-old yet contemporary cultural heritage and its versatility.
The French word for Fasnacht is Carnaval de Bâle. Interestingly, the vocabulary of Fasnacht has many French words (cortège, clique, chaise, repertoire, requisit, sujet, for example), but the word Fasnacht does not exist in French.
Apart from French influence, Fasnacht (spelled as Fastnacht until 1924) even had the German-origin Prinz Karneval and German words until 1909. The cliquen receive Frau Fasnacht ever since and Basel-German (Baseldütsch) is the language.
The priest receives Frau Fasnacht in the Elisabethenkirche, the Sunday morning before the Morgenstreich, Fasnacht 2024
The current Fasnacht took shape after the Fasnachtcomité (Faasnachts-Comitée) was established in 1910. This commité (also a French word) partly emerged from the Quodlibet association (founded in 1858). Quodlibet still exists today, but it only has one activity: bridge.
In the second half of the 19th century, lanterns (Ladäärne/Lampe) with the sujet (Süschée), the theme of the cliques, also appeared. A large rectangular lantern is decorated with texts and featuring the visualized theme of a clique. These lanterns have continuously developed into true works of art.
Lanterns of the clique Verschnuuffer
Lantern ‘Das Quodlibet den Schweizer Turnern, Quodlibet, around 1885. Collection: Museum der Kulturen Basel
The members of a clique vote on the theme for that year. A special committee then develops the project. The themes usually relate to local and national events, politics, and happenings (this year, for example, the ESC, Eurovision Song Contest) in Basel), international politics, personalities, or topical issues.
The lanterns are so large that they are usually made in workshops. Members, artists, and specialized ateliers contribute to them. Members or third parties also make other attributes of the Fasnacht, such as masks (larven), costumes, and other objects. The cliques finance these projects with support from the Fasnacht Committee through the sale of Fasnachtsplakette (Blaggedde).
Stage of a workshop. Collection: Museum der Kulturen Basel
On Sunday afternoon before the Morgenstreich, the cliques present their lanterns to their members in the clubhouse. They are then transported, accompanied by piccolos, to the Morgenstreich’s departure location under a concealing covering. The covered lanterns are only accompanied by piccolo players.
The lanterns are lit a few minutes before 04:00. On Tuesday evening, hundreds of lanterns and their subjects can be viewed and admired on the Münsterplatz. On Thursday morning at 04:00, the Fasnacht and its lanterns become art history.
(Source and further information: Museum der Kulturen Basel)
Impressions of the Lanterns on the Münsterplatz
