Switzerland Forever

For the last two days, fireworks abound everywhere - literally.  We saw 4th of July-like fireworks from 10 feet away.  Some families in our apartment complex decided to stage their own celebration and purchased ammunition-grade fireworks to set off.  The show was spectacular but quite disturbing at the same time.  Really, our house is located steps away from the courtyard and the potential for fire hazard is, shall I say, massive (?!).  That aside, the eve is not the real celebration.  On August 1, the actual Swiss National Day, the sky around us lit brightly until 11 p.m..  It felt like the country had just won a war.  From inside our apartment, it sounded like a war is taking place outside.  The explosions were non-stop and very loud at times.  No age or gender discrimination here, anyone can be a pyrotechnist today.  A young boy staged himself outside our front door, and began setting off serious fireworks, one after another, for over an hour.  At one point, one of the fireworks blew up, forcing his current viewing post back a few feet, but did that stop him?  All in all, it was an awesome event and we enjoyed it immensely.  We didn't have to leave our house.  We had front seats to view some amazing home-staged fireworks, and because our apartment complex sits on a hill, a good view of several city-sponsored fireworks as well.  My husband said he's getting some of 'em fireworks for us next year (over my dead body!).

Purchasing fireworks in Switzerland is legal and on Swiss National Day, EVERYONE is armed with military grade fireworks.  Amazing...with all the pyro activities happening this weekend, apparently only 28 ambulance calls were made (that's astounding for a city of millions) and considering many of the pyro participants are children.  I can't imagine the U.S. tolerating any of this.  

About the videos:

In order not to interfere with surrounding cities' firework shows, Basel-Stadt (City of Basel) decided to host a Swiss National Day celebration on July 31.  Our family was curious to understand how the Swiss celebrate this BIG day.  Plus my eldest really wanted to see some fireworks.  So, we ventured out to meet friends in downtown Basel.  What we experienced was captured in the following videos.

As you view the video, notice the bars and lounges set up along the streets with club music blasting.  One home on the Rhine established a full-scale disco in their garage complete with DJ station - impressive.  The event started at 6 p.m. and the fireworks began at 11:15 p.m. (need I say more?).  By 8 p.m., the area along the Rhine was hopping.  If you're not Swiss, you would want to be Swiss that evening.  Bands of varying music genres scattered along Spiegelgasse to Greifengasse (Mitte Brucke) alternated playing their music.  As the sun begins to set, the crowds grew in size and more random explosions (not associated with the official fireworks) happened all around us.  The temperature dropped and without jackets, staying until 11-ish with 2 young children and potential mayhem seem precarious.  To my eldest son's dismay, we headed back to our car (like fish making their way upstream).

This weekend was quite eventful.  Man, if Fasnacht offers a better show than this, you bet we'll be there!