Carnival heals all ills
26.2.2019
Translation: machine translated
From Rio de Janeiro to New Orleans, from Venice to Santa Cruz de Tenerife and from Bellinzona to Lucerne. Carnival is celebrated all over the world, including Switzerland. But what is its origin and what does carnival mean to us?
The origins of Carnival are ancient. Since Babylonian and Roman times, this festivity was celebrated as a rite of passage from darkness to light, from winter to summer. It was a propitiatory rite in honour of fertility and the awakening of nature. With the rise of the Christian religion, this festival was banned as it was considered pagan. And it was then that it took the name 'Carnival' or 'Fastnacht' - two terms different in form, but very close etymologically. The former, from the Old High German 'fasten' (to fast), literally means the night before the fast; while the latter, from the Latin 'carnem levare' (to eliminate meat), alludes to the last banquet held before the forty-day fast of Lent, on the day of 'Mardi Gras' to be exact, before Ash Wednesday.
But what does it mean?
But what is the significance of Carnival in Switzerland?
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Often referred to as the 'fünfte Jahreszeit' (the fifth season), Carnival or Fastnacht in Switzerland was the festival where one could consume everything that was 'forbidden' during Lent: meat, fat, eggs, alcohol and sex. In the Middle Ages, fasting was practised strictly in Switzerland, and the people not only had to consume supplies, but also wanted to enjoy the time before the great fast. .
So why do people dress up? Despite being a festival linked to the Christian tradition, Carnival was never accepted by the church. It was considered a pagan, not to say devilish, festival, where the figure of the madman reigned. In protest at the time, people dressed up mainly as devils, wild animals and mad men. And today? Today, as then, carnival continues to be a merry-go-round of madness and fun where everyone can wear the mask they want. There are many events, both in the interior of Switzerland and in Ticino. Here are the most important ones, not to be missed from this week onwards.
The most important carnivals in Ticino
Bellinzona - The Rabadan28 February - 5 March
It is one of the most important carnivals in Switzerland. The Rabadan tradition dates back to 1862. Since then, every year within the medieval walls of the centre of Bellinzona, the alleys are filled with masked people. Don't miss the Guggen procession on Saturday and the Grand Masked Procession on Sunday.
visit the website to find out more.
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Chiasso - The Republic of Nebiopoli28 February - 5 March
This is the most important Roman rite in the Sottoceneri region and is characterised by the absence of a king: during the carnival days, Chiasso is in fact governed by the Prime Minister, who transforms it into the Free Republic of Nebiopoli. Throughout the week, the streets of the centre teem with masked groups and Guggen. The festival culminates on Shrove Tuesday with the Nebiopoli masked parade.
visit the website to find out more.
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Locarno - La Stracionada1 - 2 March
This is the Friday night event that no one can miss: the old town is literally invaded by masks, tents, Guggen, music and endless fun until the early hours.
visit the website to find out more.
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Biasca - Re Noregna6 - 10 March
This is the first of the Ambrosian carnivals in Ticino, which officially bring to a close the festive and noisy evenings spent in fancy dress. The procession of King Naregna takes place on Saturday afternoon and winds its way through the town. In addition to the floats, several Guggen from all over Switzerland are also present.
visit the website to find out more.
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Tesserete - Or Penagin7 - 9 March
The festivities begin on Thursday evening with the handover of the keys to His Majesty, as always accompanied by the Prime Minister Porta Penagia, and a concert by the Guggen. The festivities continue on Saturday with the traditional lunch of risotto and luganighe, the procession of His Majesty Or Penagin, and the storming of the cuccagna pole.
visit the site to find out more.
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Brissago - Re Pitoc7 - 10 March
These are days of feasting and merriment for the people and subjects of King Pitoc and Queen Pitochina in Brissago. The village is officially inaugurated on Thursday evening with the handing over of the keys and the start of the revelry - this year in the theme Viva México.
visit the website to find out more.
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What do you dress up as?
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Are you a Carnival fanatic? Or do you just can't stand it? Leave a comment at the bottom of the page and let us know what you think. If you still don't know how to dress up, take a look at our assortment: you'll find various costumes, but also tricks, accessories and tricks.
Yay carnival!
Alessandra Ruggieri De Micheli
Senior Translator Italian
Alessandra.Ruggieri@digitecgalaxus.chGrowing up in the midst of three opposing cultures, languages have always been my passion. So much so that I can now express myself in seven. But when it comes to translation, I remain true to only one: Italian. It is the language of my heart. The language I speak with my children. The only one that really makes me laugh and where I feel at home. I love to follow its development and I like to use it with precision and creativity. Apart from that, my life in Zurich is a constant race, which is why I am always on the road by bike. Whenever possible, I travel with the aim of discovering extraordinary and little frequented places - with my super family and our super van.
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