Impressions from the Zürich Carnival Parade 2012

Some parts of Switzerland actually have five seasons, with carnival season being squeezed in between winter and spring.

Carnival in Switzerland is such an integral part of life in some regions that business virtually shuts down from Thursday before Ash Wednesday through Ash Wednesday. Even the most conservative folks from near and far will emerge in their colorful, scary, or otherwise outlandish costumes to celebrate the Swiss carnival.

Restaurants and bars all over the country are being visited by local Guggemusig bands. These marching bands of a different kind are usually rooted in local history and are popular among most townspeople.

The Gugge provide lavish musical entertainment in the form of popular Fasnacht classics such as “Rivers of Babylon”, “When the Saints Go Marching In”, or “Cotton-Eyed Joe”.

So it happened in Zürich and other towns across Switzerland in 2012. Turn up your speakers, play this soundtrack, and enjoy our impressions from the ZüriCarneval 2012: