ISBN 978-3-905252-04-0
Whether you're a first-time visitor or a life-long enthusiast, here's all you need to know (and more) about Schnizelbängg and Schyssdräggzyygli and all the other fascinating aspects of Basel's famous carnival.
The author, Peter Habicht, is a historian in Basel who enjoys giving lively, carefully researched tours of the town closest to his heart. Basel's Fasnacht may be impossible to describe, but Peter Habicht's tour in these pages is the next best thing to spending these three special days in Basel.
Fredy Prack is a graphic designer and one of the most valued artists for Fasnacht lanterns, well-known for conveying the themes, humor and heart of the Basler (and Schnitzelbänggler) into visual form.
What the experts said:
Corina Christen, member of the Fasnachts Comité, at the launch of 'Lifting the Mask' on December 6, 2001: "Ich meine, es darf sich sehen lassen, um es mit gut baslerischem Understatement auszudrücken. Ein grosses Kompliment an Peter Habicht - ihm ist es gelungen, all diese Facetten und noch viel mehr in kürzester Form und auf unterhaltsame Weise zwischen zwei Buchdeckel zu bannen.
Die Fasnacht ist aber auch ein Fest fürs Auge, eine berauschende Vielfalt an Farben und Formen, der man mit Worten allein nicht gerecht werden kann. Dem Künstler, Fredy Prack, sei Dank - ihm ist es mit seinen Illustrationen meisterhaft gelungen, das festzuhalten, wozu die Worte fehlen. Und last but not least - mein Kompliment an Sie, Dianne Dicks, für Ihre Begeisterung, ihr Engagement, ihren Mut auch, ein solches Vorhaben durchzuziehen.
And if some critic should ask: Why a guide to Fasnacht in English? Don't we have enough tourists already? Please answer confidently: First: what would Fasnacht be without the spectators at the Cortege, without the 'gourmets' who are 'gässling' behind a Clique or without the Schnitzelbangg fans, who are waiting hours and hours in a smoky restaurant just so they don't miss their favourite Schnitzelbangg Group?
And secondly you can answer proudly: Those who visit Basler Fasnacht because they have read "Lifting the mask" will come with wide open eyes, wide open ears, and wide open hearts. And that is what counts."
What a reader from California said:
The Fasnacht book really was a hit with my 93 year old mother who came from Basel to America in 1928. And, me too, I should add. At first I was just going to read her some passages, which I did, and she really loved them.
She immediately noticed the writing style-- "only a Basler writes like that!" But outside, in bright sunlight I showed her some of the illustrations. Please tell the artist that he made drawings that an old Basler with very poor eyesight can see, and really enjoy. Some of her favorites were the drums on page 75 (she liked this one because of the traditional colors and design), and the old bright red one on page 77, the Schnitzelbangg -- page 48 ("yes, they are all so fat with big beer bellies!"), the Middle Bridge with the smoke stacks near Wasser Str. where she was raised -- page 36, Morgestraich--page 16 (she still speaks in hushed voice about that moment), Gugge band--page 59 (but they had very few when she was a girl in 1920, and she does not remember the lanterns).
The various Alti Dante caught her eye and memory, and the figure on page v with the Basel staff. She also agreed that Fasnacht is "an attitude, a life-style, a passion." Especially, she said, "it is a passion! You have to be brought up with it." The recipes brought back memories immediately--of course, Basler Määlsuppe was a favorite with her, and brother Gustave really loved it also, as was the Ziibelwaije (I had to spell it since pronunciation was impossible without a tutor! She got it when I got to the "el".) She said she dressed as a bat for one of the Fasnachts, and her older brothers Gustave and Karl disappeared for the night out dancing or whatever they were doing at the Three Kings, much to the consternation of "mama."
bergli books,
CHF 29.80
Available immediately
