BASLER FASNACHT 1987

The Basler Fasnacht is a carnaval that celebrates the ending of the vasting period.
It's roots go back deep into history.

The events starts in the week after Ash Wednesday in the protestant town of Basel, a week later than in roman-catholic regions. People stay up all night in bars and hotels, with traditional food like "Mehlsuppe" and of course beer, wine and "Kaffeefertig", a brandy strenghtened coffee, until the festivities start at 4.00 AM with the "Morgenstraich". At 3.55 AM all the lights in the town are turned off and 5 minutes later the marches on the central market square in the towncentre begin. Through the alleys and small streets the "Cliquen" (carnaval companies) in their colourful outfits march with their bright shining lanterns, that show scenes from the year that has passed, often a satirical view on politicians or other vip's. They are accompanied by traditional drum and flute music. It is called "gässeln" and it goes on until late in the morning.

In the 1980's a series of " Basler Fasnachtkarten" was published to commemorate the event. Each year the deck was designed by a different local artist. In 1987 the deck was designed by Marianne Pomeroy. She has caught the fasnacht feeling and tradition in some fine impressions. Too bad, that no further information about her can be found. 

Over the years there have been different publishers, but all decks in the Fasnachtkarten series were printed by Müller AG from Neuhausen a/R.