INSIDE: DUBUFFET EXHIBIT • ROMANTIC STRASBOURG • SNOWSHOEING TIPS • BASEL’S LOVE LOCKS • ROCK OPERA Volume 4 Issue 5 CHF 5 5 A Monthly Guide to Living in Basel February 2016 Fasnac ht U nm a sk e d International School Rheinfelden A cAsuAl ApproAch to luxury AsK For A pErsoNAl AppoINtMENt. phoNE +41 79 352 42 12 · FrEIE strAssE 34, 4001 BAsEl · www.jANEtBArgEzI.coM ■ English-medium day school: Kindergarten and Primary sections ■ Internationally recognised programmes and qualifications ■ German second language of instruction ■ Individual coaching and mentoring ■ Part time options available Global and TM local Passion for An Innovative Approach to Business Education Learn about Basel’s only recognized learning and success English language university offering For more information, please contact us on: Bachelors, MBA and doctoral degrees in: Tel: +41 61 831 06 06 | [email protected] www.isrh.ch International Business, Management, Finance, Pharmaceutical Management, and Sustainability Management Program information at 061 271 90 00 or at www.thebaselschool.ch. 2 Basel Life Magazine / www.basellife.com LETTER FROM THE EDITOR The days are short and the weather is cold, but there is no time to hibernate if you live in Basel! This February, Basel comes to life once again with the most Fantastic, Awesome, Spectacular, Noisy, Artistic, Colorful, Hip, and Terrific carnival in this part of the world—FASNACHT! With a reputation Volume 4 Issue 5 February 2016 rivaling that of the carnivals of Venice, Rio, and New Orleans, it is definitely TABLE OF CONTENTS a unique event that you have to experience at least once! Check out the Fasnacht Special in this issue of Basel Life Magazine to learn about the what, when, and where of this unforgettable event. Fasnacht Special 4–6 Looking for wintery adventure? Choose from the many ski excursions, skate on an outdoor rink on disco night, or spend the night in an igloo. If Inside Basel: Love Locks 7 you want to give snowshoeing a try, turn to the “Get Going!” section for in- formation and tips on what you need to know to find the right snowshoeing adventure for you and your group. Events in Basel: February 2016 8–11 If you are culturally minded, you may be interested in several new exhibits, highlighting topics from the attitude of designers and special old cars to Fun Outings: Beyond Basel 12–13 French artist Jean Dubuffet, Alice in Wonderland, and the weird but fasci- nating courtships of the animal kingdom. Also, the Museum Tinguely will be opening their new exhibit “Touch of Art,” which explores the role that Did you Know? 14 the tactile dimension plays in our experience of art, or you can amuse yourself by having your portrait “created” by flies. Camps Special 15 There are many things to do with the kids this month, from taking a walk with penguins to a variety of children, musical, and puppet theaters, as well as concerts for babies, kids, and families. In this issue, you will also Calendar: February 2016 16–17 find a list of the holiday camps for kids offered during the upcoming Fasnacht break, as well as the signup information for this spring’s session of the Get going!: Snowshoeing 18–20 university lecture series designed to pique children’s interest in a variety of educational topics. Other useful information in this issue explains about a postal pick-up ser- Sports and Recreation 21 vice that is available from home, the details of the annual testing of the alarm system, as well as a new BABYfriendly website that can help par- Workshops, Tours, and Education 22–24 ents locate baby-friendly places in Basel and beyond. With Valentine’s Day coming up this month, it is a great time to take a look at, and weigh in on, the Love-Locks that adorn Basel’s Mittlere Brücke. And while you are out, Entertainment: Night on the Town 26–30 you may want to hunt for the location featured in our new contest “Where in Basel?” that is designed to heighten your appreciation for all of the won- derful little gems hidden throughout the city—be the first to answer and Ticket Office: Get Your Tickets Now! 31 win a prize! Last, but certainly not least, you can as always choose from a multitude of Mark Your Calendar: March 2016 back page great evening events for that perfect night out, including concerts, theater, magic, comedy, dance, and this month’s premiere of “TEST: The Rock Opera”! Wishing you a fabulous February, C hristine Christine Pesold Editor-in-Chief Basel Life Magazine Staff: [email protected] Editor-in-Chief: Christine Pesold COVER: One thing you cannot miss if you spend any time at Advertising & Subscription Manager / Editor: all in town during the Basel Fasnacht is the confetti—or Susanne Hiller Räppli in Swiss German (named after the smallest coins of the Swiss currency). During the large parades, or Cortèg- Design & Print: es, it is thrown by the handful, bagful, or even from special Schwabe AG “canons.” Supposedly more Räppli are used during the For more information about subscribing or advertising – please contact us: Basel Fasnacht than any other comparable carnival. Although all spectators get their share of the tiny paper scraps, those without a Fasnacht badge (“Blaggedde”) are prime targets. info basellife.com While Räppli come in all colors, each bag only contains a single color. This is to demon- www.facebook.com/basellifemagazine strate that only unused Räppli are dumped on the spectators—anybody throwing mixed- www.basellife.com color Räppli must have picked them up from the ground, which is heavily frowned upon. BASEL LIFE MAGAZINE / BASEL FAMILY GmbH © Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. It is our goal to provide valuable, timely information to our readers. The opinions expressed in the articles in this magazine are those of the contributing authors and do not reflect those of Other members of the editorial staff and of any Organizations or agencies distributing this magazine. Though we make every attempt to provide accurate information, we cannot be held respon- sible if any event is cancelled, postponed, or modified. We encourage readers to contact the event organizers or their websites to Obtain the most current event information. Please note: No part of this periodical may be duplicated in any fashion, or redistributed in any written language, without permission from the executive staff at Basel Family GmbH. If you have any questions, contact Basel Family GmbH staff at: info basellife.com. photo credit: © susanne hiller February 2016 3 EventsFasnacht in SpecialBasel: February 2015 (continued) Basel’s “Drei scheenschte Dääg” You haven’t really lived in Basel if you haven’t experienced at least one edition of the Basler Fasnacht—those crazy 72 hours when normal life is suspended, people in fantastic costumes roam the city at all hours of the day or night, shrill music resounds in the streets and alleys, and the city drowns in confetti. Here’s what you can expect on these “drei scheenschte Dääg” (three most wonderful days) for many Baslers and out-of-town visitors. What Happens When? Cortège: The Cortège is a huge parade with more than 12,000 masked This year, Basel’s Fasnacht takes place from 04:00 on Monday, Febru- participants on foot and on floats meandering along a set route through ary 15, to 04:00 on Thursday, February 18. (Yes, you read that correctly— the city center of Grossbasel and Kleinbasel, starting at 13:30. Each it does start and end in the middle of the night!) The following schedule Clique has chosen a specific “Sujet” or theme that is reflected in their can help you pick out the events that you would like most to experience, costumes, floats and other paraphernalia, lanterns, and often also in if not all of them! the form of verses that are distributed on colorful pieces of paper, the “Zeedel.” The Sujets typically address local or national politi- Monday cal and cultural events or per- Morgenstreich: Fasnacht begins when the bells of the St. Martin’s sonalities in a fun or ironic Church strike 4 o’clock. At that moment, all lights in the center of town form. Some Cliques are again are extinguished with a special switch, and more than 100 large and accompanied by their piccolo small Fasnacht groups, or “Cliques,” set off from their assembly points players and drummers. In ad- for a parade through the darkened streets. The only light is provided by dition, there are many other small lanterns that participants wear on their heads and large lanterns music groups called “Gugge- that the Cliques have lovingly and artistically prepared in the previous musiken” that play a very char- months and which they carry or pull along on their march. The eerie acteristic, highly rhythmic, and atmosphere of the semidarkness is enhanced by the haunting sounds somewhat off-key music main- of piccolo flutes and drums played by many of the participants. The par- ly driven by brass instruments, pipes, and drums. The participants in ticipating groups range from large Cliques with dozens of musicians the Cortège throw tons of “Räppli” (confetti), oranges, candy, and flow- and other members pulling along carts with enormous lanterns that ers into the crowds along the route. (Please make sure your kids stay have to stay on the main roads to small groups with just one piccolo away from the wheels of the floats when they go after the goodies player, one drummer, and perhaps a couple of other members who because the drivers may not be able to see them.) You can find a map of also stroll through the small alleyways.