Celebrating the ‘fifth season’ Swiss-style

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Revellers with masks and lanterns parade through Basel during the early-morning 'Morgestraich' Keystone

Crossing the River Rhine towards the end of the Morgestraich Keystone

The carnival procession with the clown 'Re Pitoc' in Brissago, canton Ticino Keystone

The carnival queen 'Pitochina' gets emotional during the burning of Re Pitoc Keystone

Part of the 'Chienbäse' torchlight procession in Liestal near Basel. The procession continues through the dark alleys of the old town, bringing light and the hope of warmer days to residents. Keystone

Around 9,000 'Mütschli' (loaves of bread) are thrown into the crowd in Einsiedeln, canton Schwyz Keystone

The devils are on the prowl in Einsiedeln Keystone

Even the devil needs a breather Keystone

King Rabadan and the queen in Bellinzona, canton Ticino Keystone

A carnival float in Bellinzona Keystone

A man waits as the burlap bags used to make the traditional 'straw men' costume are stuffed with straw, before parading through Evolène, canton Valais. The straw men, stuffed with up to 30kg of straw, represent the spirit of the ancestors and deceased believed to haunt the region. Keystone

Men dressed with traditional 'straw men' costumes and devil or sorcerer masks parade through Evolène Keystone

Collecting confetti in Fribourg Keystone

Masks on the pavement in Fribourg Keystone

Men and boys in traditional costumes and masks, derived from those worn by the characters in the Venetian Commedia dell'Arte, parade through the streets of Brunnen, canton Schwyz Keystone

Keeping noise levels up in Brunnen Keystone

A 'fool' incites the crowd at the start of carnival in Lucerne Keystone

Masked revellers in Lucerne Keystone

The 'Basler Bebbi Basel' at a dress rehearsal in Basel Keystone

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During carnival, the photographers of the Swiss picture agency Keystone are often in action at unusual hours, documenting wild celebrations in all their local forms across the country. 

The last big event in the annual carnival calendar in the “Morgestraich” in Basel. At 4am, masked people playing piccolos and drums set off through the city. 

+ More information on Swiss customs and traditions

The collection of images presents a short – and obviously far from complete – stroll through Switzerland’s carnival traditions. Not everywhere puts on massive events – in many places carnival consists simply of smaller parties and masked get-togethers in local pubs. 

(All images: Keystone; text: Thomas Kern, swissinfo.ch)