Swiss Passport

Question 307 of 350 · Traditions and sport

The Basel Fasnacht (carnival) is started with the «Morgestraich» on a Monday at 4 a.m. What happens then?

Die Basler Fasnacht wird mit dem «Morgestraich» an einem Montag um 4 Uhr morgens angepfiffen. Was passiert dann?

Correct answer: C

  1. AAll the people of Basel start to sing.Alle Baslerinnen und Basler beginnen zu singen.
  2. BThe heads of the carnival groups give speeches.Die Vorsitzenden der Fasnachtsgruppen halten Reden.
  3. CThe street lights are switched off and the pipers and drummers start to play.Die Strassenlichter werden gelöscht und die Pfeifer und Trommler beginnen zu spielen.
  4. DBurning brooms are carried through the city.Brennende Besen werden durch die Stadt getragen.

Why

At the Morgestraich, it becomes completely dark in Basel's old town. Then the pipers and drummers start to play and march through the streets with glowing lanterns.

Common mistakes

A: All the people of Basel start to sing.
At the Morgestraich people play the piccolo and drum; they do not sing together.
D: Burning brooms are carried through the city.
Burning brooms are carried at the «Chienbäse» in Liestal, not at the Morgestraich in Basel.

Topic

Jass, yodelling, Fasnacht, Chilbi

Many Swiss traditions come from life in the countryside. Yodelling is one of them. When you yodel, you sing without words. The voice jumps quickly back and forth between a low chest voice and a high head voice. You do not need an instrument for it, only your own voice. Since 2025 Swiss yodelling has been part of UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage.

Culture, economy and Switzerland in the world · Traditions and sport

Sources

Official question of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.