It has been proved that Fasnacht (Swiss German for Carnival) was already celebrated in Kanton Solothurn in the 15th century.
Carnival processions have existed in Solothurn for many centuries. In earlier days they were more similar to the carnival of Nice in a moderate way, with wonderful costumes and magnificent floats. In 1754 there was a procession with 22 groups under the motto “The 100 year calendar”. In earlier days the processions were organised under dominant themes, today they are put together by various groups that mostly attack a topic, which has no connection to the actual carnival theme.
Carnival Sunday is very popular, to see the original subjects, costumes and carnival floats in the procession. This takes place on Sunday and Tuesday afternoon starting at 02.31.p.m.
From Hilari to Ash Wednesday
Hilari
The Solothurn Fasnacht begins on 13th January with Hilari which means cheerful and happy. On Hilari day a carefree time begins. From this day Solothurn is known as Honolulu and the Town Hall Alley as the Donkeys Alley.
Historically the beginning of the actual Fasnacht is late afternoon in the restaurant zum alten Stephen (Old Steven Restaurant) on the Friedhofplatz (Cemetery Square). Since 1888 the Fools guild Honolulu and their top man, light the fool’s lamp in the hall on the 1st Floor of this restaurant.
The time between Hilari and Fasnacht is filled in with many different preparations. Satirical verses are composed, decorations for the floats are painted and the carpenters are busy with wooden constructions, as well as the local favourite pub being decorated. The Fasnacht newspapers appear.
Dirty Thursday
The Fasnacht in Honolulu begins completely with the “Chesslete”. The so-called “ringing in” of the Fasnacht. On the afternoon of the day before there is the children’s “chesslete”, as a slight hint to that which follows: At 5.00 in the morning the Head chessler gives the start signal on the Friedhofsplatz and with noise and hullabaloo the participants make their way to the quiet alleys and fill them with chaotic noise. Cow bells, horns, rattles etc. belong to the noisy tools. The dress is a white night shirt, white cap with a tassel red neck scarf. From the toddler to the grandfather everyone is there. After the procession through the old town and periphery, rolls with soup (made of roasted flour) are eaten. At midday the spook should be finished, but during the morning the streets are still noisy which leads to the birth of the best customs. During the afternoon of dirty Thursday children are dressed in their carnival costumes and carry out their confetti battles. In 1982 the first Childrens procession was carried out with great success. In the evening the groups go from bar to bar, carnival musicians, drummers and satirical poets.
Carnival Sunday
At 14.31 on the Amthausplatz (central square) the Solothurn Fasnacht procession begins. Prominent people amongst the spectators are greeted from the floats and are made fools of with satirical remarks. People watching in the streets are pulled into the floats. The musicians play their ear-agonizing to ear-caressing rhythms. Everyone is laughing and the badge they carry on their coat collars is not only a permit for allowing them to watch, but also shows them to be a Fasnacht expert.
On the procession route the Gate of Biel is the eye of the needle that needs technical constructions when building the floats to enable them to pass through. From Amthausplatz through the Gate of Biel, through the Gurzelngasse, Hauptgasse past the wonderful St. Urs cathederal down the Kronenstutz, over the Kreuzackerbrücke (bridge) to the periphery and from there back over the Wengibrücke (bridge) to the Amthausplatz. At the end of the procession a monster concert takes place on the steps of the St. Ursen cathederal. The complete main road sways back and forth to the sounds of the colourfully costumed musicians. Afterward the restaurants and bars are full with people. The evening programme of dirty Thursday is repeated and the public enjoys the performances of the groups with their satirical poetry. Even in the town theatre the Fasnacht show can be enjoyed. On Monday in the early morning you see costumed people, quietly and slowly making their way home.
Carnival Monday
This is usually celebrated in the concert hall. The drummers, music groups and satirical verse groups entertain the spectators with their newest hits.
Carnival Tuesday
Schools and offices in Solothurn are closed for the afternoon. The processions is repeated once again through the town. The atmosphere is more relaxed than Sunday. The carnival enthusiasm is increased when the audience begin the “Zapfenstreich”. They stand in rows at the edge of the procession route, all dressed in their colourful costumes.
For the first time in 1951 all the costumed people came together, took off their masks and arm in arm jumped up and down through the town. The rhythm was given by the musicians to the tune of “I ma nümm” translated “I can’t go on”. They usually settle on one of the bridges in the town and do manage to get the bridge vibrating.
After this wild dance is finished the active carnival people have a short break, then they celebrate once again through the night in the restaurants or there is a carnival ball being held somewhere. On Ash Wednesday morning, you see the costumed people making their way home, recovering from the efforts of the night.
Ash Wednesday
The pendulum of the carnival hasn’t not yet stopped swinging. The tradition of the Fools guild Honolulu requires the phasing out of the last act: the burning of the “Böög” (the dummy). The tradition is so old as the century. It was in 1900 that a paper dragon was burnt in a bonfire on the market place. Since then the Böög, a phantasy figure, five times as large as a human being, is burnt to death. In the sign of equality it is alternatively a man or woman. The crowd is large, the Böög resembles a monster in its height. Accompanied by the music of the “Horsefly song” the Honolulu fools, lead by the drummers, walk in slow steps around the Böög whilst the first flames rise around the monster. The Böög is filled with fireworks making sometimes a quick end to such a monster. Some of the spectators even have a tear in their eyes when only a skeleton remains. It is then Adieu Fasnacht.
The town becomes again the town, is again Solothurn and the Donkeys alley is again the town hall alley. The mayor is again in his office. A small spark of Fasnacht happiness remains in many fools’ hearts and will definitely be ignited again at the next Hilari. So is Fasnacht is Solothurn – like a chronic illness that breaks out once a year and only through firm participation can be cured.
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