René Christen, a 60-year-vintage resident of Aarburg, Switzerland, fulfilled a lifelong dream this week by participating in the Morgestraich, the opening parade of the Basel Carnival, as a Piccolospieler – a musician in a small, satirical band.
Christen, who spent his early childhood in Basel, was welcomed into a Clique, one of the carnival groups, immediately upon joining the procession, according to reports from the Zofingertagblatt. The Morgestraich commenced precisely at 4:00 am on Monday, initiating the “drey scheenschte Dääg” – the three most beautiful days – of the Basler Fasnacht.
The Basler Fasnacht, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2017, is Switzerland’s largest carnival and a unique Protestant celebration. Unlike many Rhine River carnivals, such as those in Cologne or Mainz, Basel’s event maintains a distinct separation between performers and spectators. The carnival’s origins are rooted in satirical commentary on local and global events, a tradition continuing to this day.
Christen’s participation is particularly notable given his long-standing involvement in another Swiss cultural tradition: Jodeln, or yodeling. He currently serves as president of the Jodlerklub Burghalde Aarburg, a club founded in 1931. Despite facing challenges with declining membership, the club continues to perform, even offering concerts in hospitals and care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, while adhering to federal guidelines.
The Basler Fasnacht lasts for 72 hours, concluding on Thursday morning at 4:00 am. Approximately 18,000 participants, known as Fasnächtler, roam the old town of Basel during this period, engaging in performances and satirical displays. The event features elaborate costumes and masks, known as Larven.
While Christen’s dual involvement in both the Basler Fasnacht and the Aarburg yodeling club highlights the richness of Swiss cultural traditions, the Jodlerklub Burghalde Aarburg continues to grapple with an aging membership base and the challenge of attracting recent singers, with an average age of over 70 among current members.