| Though of course Switzerland is one nation, | | | | |
| its 26 cantons, each of which has a | | | | Those looking for a more traditional festival |
| considerable amount of autonomy, cling | | | | should take a visit to Fasnacht in Basel, |
| proudly to their individual culture and | | | | which is recognised as the most popular |
| traditions and continue to celebrate both | | | | festival in Switzerland, with some 15,000 to |
| historic and modern festivals. | | | | 20,000 marked participants taking part. |
| | | | |
| Every January strange brightly coloured | | | | The origins of Fasnacht are somewhat obscure |
| objects can be seen floating in the skies of | | | | and unsure, largely because a huge earthquake |
| Chateau d'Oex, a small alpine town nestled in | | | | in 1356 destroyed large parts of Basel along |
| the Bernese Oberland, close to its better | | | | with many written records. Historians believe |
| known neighbour Gstaad. Chateau d'Oex's | | | | that the festival came about due to a row at |
| International Hot Air Balloon Festival is the | | | | a jousting tournament been the citizens of |
| worlds' premier hot air ballooning event, | | | | Basel and some knights. The argument is said |
| which attracts over 100 balloons from 15 | | | | to have tuned nasty, with the locals chasing |
| different countries. The reason for its | | | | the knights out of town and killing four of |
| success is partly down to the area's unique | | | | them in the process. But retribution was |
| microclimate; its position within a wide | | | | harsh; 12 citizens were beheaded and the |
| sloping valley bowl creates thermal | | | | Empire of the time (Charles IV) put a ban on |
| conditions which are ideal for flying. And | | | | the city, meaning that it was no longer |
| the views from a balloon basket aren't bad | | | | protected by the Roman Empire. |
| either; souring over snowy high alpine | | | | |
| mountains and valleys, it's little wonder | | | | Basel now celebrates this slightly bizarre |
| that the festival attracts thousands of | | | | part of their history with Fasnacht. When the |
| visitors each year. | | | | city clock rings out at 4am, thousands of |
| | | | fifers and drummers in Charivari costumes |
| If you're looking for a festival that is a | | | | with small headlights begin to move through |
| little more down to earth, try Switzerland's | | | | the dark centre of town, whilst playing their |
| Rock Oz'Arenes, a massive music festival well | | | | carnival music. By day a huge procession |
| worthy of a visit. What began as a one day | | | | takes place along with live music, a lantern |
| event in 1992 and attracted just 730 people | | | | exhibition and carnival floats. |
| is now a four day festival held in the roman | | | | |
| Amphitheatre of Avenches. The event hosts | | | | A holiday in Switzerland which takes in some |
| some of the biggest international pop, rock | | | | of the country's wealth of festivals and |
| and hip hop acts, and has seen the likes of | | | | cultural events, in addition to its |
| Jimmy Cliff, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed perform in | | | | incredible natural scenery, makes for an |
| recent years. | | | | ideal European break. |