How do you know when you aren't right?

[Anonymous]

Rare moment. Switzerland takes a side! Whoo!

When Switzerland gives you a parade of middle fingers.

https://www.inkl.com/news/switzerland-s-anti-trump-protestors-wear-giant-middle-fingers-on-their-heads-during-march

[Lynx122]

They are not protestors. This is a tradition called Fasnacht and it's in the city of Basel. The oldest documented mention of this tradition is from 1376. My mom is from Basel and I went to Fasnacht quite often. It started in the past to scare away the winter spirits and make way for spring. That's why they wear big masks with grotesque faces. Later on it was also a way to celebrate one last time before Lent when Christianity was more prevalent. There are many different groupes called cliques and they come together to drink and practice their drumming or picolos and it's just a social thing. Then they chose a theme or "sujet" for their parade. Often they're related to current events. They give out little flyers where there's a message written in poetry about their theme and their costumes also reflect it.

The Fasnacht in Basel actually starts at 4 am on the first day and everyone lines up in the dark and they have these big lanterns that you see in the one picture and they look very beautiful. Some even have tiny lanterns on their head. And then they start marching through the street and you can walk behind them if you want or you can stand on the side of the road and watch everybody go by. Everybody has confetti and they also have big wagons and throw candy to kids and stuff. It's a huge party :)

[Lynx122]

Here's a old drawing from 1850 of the Fasnacht in Basel :)

[Asker]

This is interesting feedback and I appreciate it.
Have you heard more about this years? It leans toward anti-. trump additions this year.

[Lynx122]

They always make fun of politicians. It can be American or german or swiss or whoever is in the news the most. Sometimes they also just make fun of a specific political topic that's being discussed in Switzerland. It's just satire. There's also stand up comedy in rhyme form that they do where they also make fun of a lot of stuff. But there's also groups who just wanna play music and party. They don't have the traditional drums and flutes but they have trombones and more modern drums and trumpets and stuff. They don't have a theme they just play.

[Amy10223]

And these people knew what the MIDDLE finger means? Doesn't look like a party to me.

[Lynx122]

thanks for MHO :)

[DryGermanGuy]

Just like @Lynx122 in Switzerland, we have the same sort of carnival processions in Germany. And ridiculing politics and politicians has always been an important part at these parties.

[Amy10223]

Those pictures' depictions, especially the last one, are so true. You deserve MHO.

[Summeroflove]

Well most people aren’t in a cult. Many people on the right disagree over many things most of us just don’t hate one another over it. As where many are pushed out of the left and democrats since you disagree with one thing on the extreme left and you’re a right winger.

[Amy10223]

Thank you, Switzerland. The world is on our side. They dislike Trump and know more about what is happening in this country, because our news media does not publish ALL that is happening.

[sawno]

Not really, Switzerland is a democracy so these protests don't speak for their country. It also is not an organic protest since it does not meet my criteria to be one.

[DrPepper12]

Hell if the Swiss jumped in Trump must be global pariah

[jahaims]

If Switzerland is your gauge for morals that is hilarious.

[trumpetplayerforlife]

I honestly died laughing when I saw this lol

[exitseven]

I don't know. It never happens