By: Mark Sukhija
Every year in Liestal , a short journey from Basel the Chienbäse event takes place in the old town. With its routes apparently in the pagan ritual of the burning away of winter, the Chienbäse (the torches these guys are carrying) are paraded through the old town. I have a sneaking suspicion that were this anywhere else the Health and Safety Fascists would have been all over it like, well, a flame to petrol. But, being Switzerland and all terribly organised, the fire department are on hand to make sure everything flammable is wet. Except the Chienbäse themselves, of course.
