Chienbäse - The Liestal Fire Parade

"From an ancient act of worship to the final expulsion of winter comes the picturesque torchlight procession on Sunday evening. (Called Wällemaa) with the burning of a large wooden surge on Castle Hill the power of winter is broken and the glowing torches and blazing Chienbäsen the warming power of the sun from the bonfires is carried down into the dark valley. It forms an imposing and artistic spectacle when the procession moved through the darkened town. "

~ Theo Strübin, Liestal Brochure of Transportation and Beautifcation Association

Upcoming Dates

Sunday 10 March 2019 from 19:00-20:30

Liestal, Switzerland

What Makes This Amazing?

Other than the fact that it’s a FIRE PARADE? Well, any event that involves children to older adults parading through a village with fire torches larger than their body is enough to justify my attendance! Throw in a chariot of fire to boot - This is incredible!

Sure, there’s risk involved, but the community takes every precaution to keep things safe. Participants wear protective gear, and there are people spraying water on torchbearers as they pass to help keep them protected. Carnival is the time of year where everyone unwinds and gets a little crazy so this is a fitting start to the week!

A Bit of History

This event is fantastic for far more reasons than the fact that I’m a pyromaniac! It’s a long-standing tradition for Liestal dating back to nearly 120 years! Some years were forced to be skipped due to flu epidemic (1920) and some during World War II (restarted in 1946).

The tradition is said to date back to 1902 by the Stedtli but popularized by the local pastry chef, Eugen Stutz. He is attributed with the creation of the Chienbäse with local students following the first World War. This parade has evolved through the year and has grown substantially in size. All of the wood is strategically placed so the Chienbäse is at full peak fire in the middle of the old town.

The timber is provided for the parade for free from the civic community.