THE HOME FOR CURIOUS MINDS

A cultural and intellectual initiative redefining how knowledge is shared and experienced. Positioned at the crossroads of academia, the arts, and civic life, it bridges the gap between specialized research—spanning philosophy, political theory, the arts, and the social sciences—and the wider public. At the same time, SPACE Basel is deeply rooted in its own context: giving proper attention to the richness of local traditions, ensuring that global conversations remain connected to the cultural and historical fabric of Basel itself.

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MARCHING WITH THE DAMNED: FASNACHT’S DARK SHADOW

TBC February 2026

The origins of carnival – and of Basel’s own Fasnacht – lie shrouded in the mists of time, where history and myth blur together. Countless theories swirl around its beginnings, but few certainties remain. Tonight, we follow one of the most haunting trails: the echoes of death and the devil that run beneath the revelry. From the wild cries of the Wilde Jagd, that ghostly hunt of restless souls across winter skies, to the masked figures who mock mortality itself, we’ll explore the darker roots that may have shaped the laughter and chaos of Fasnacht. True or not — who can say? But one thing is sure: the story is too intriguing not to chase.