During the Chienbäse procession in Liestal 100 cubic metres of wood go up in flames within just one hour.
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As a photo editor I am responsible for the editorial use of photography at SWI swissinfo.ch and our collaborations with photographers. When the opportunity arises, I take a camera and accompany one of our journalists.
I trained as a photographer in Zürich and began working as a photojournalist in 1989. I was a founder of the Swiss photographers' agency Lookat Photos in 1990. A two-time World Press Award winner, I have also been awarded several Swiss national scholarships. My work has been widely exhibited and it is represented in various collections.
The evening parade, which first took place in 1902, is one of the most spectacular fire traditions in Switzerland. It’s made up of around 300 people carrying bundles of pinewood chips, “Chienbäse”, weighing 40-70 kg, as well as carts carrying bonfires and follows a 1,805-metre route through the town. The public is out in force and fire officers have the event under strict surveillance. Before that, there are the Fasnacht carnival processions in Liestal and in neighbouring towns. This year’s Chienbäse is on Sunday, February 26. (Pictures: Thomas Kern/swissinfo.ch)
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