Photo courtesy of the Steiner's
Do you remember the movie "Backdraft" released in 1991? Have you ever visited Soundstage 30 or the Backdraft attraction at Universal Studio before it closed in 2009? No worries if you missed any of these fire inspired events, you can still experience pyromania at its best...just attend Chienbåse in Liestal. Although you will leave feeling singed, charred, blackened and near death (if you were unfortunate enough to land front row viewing), you will come away with the thrill of experiencing flames up so close and lived to talk about it. Chienbåse exists only in Liestal.
Chienbåse is a highly lauded, must-see event in Liestal. This fire breathing spectacle has its beginning from 1902. At that time, only a "train" carrying torches and chienbåse (pinewood besom) were allowed through old town. No one really knows how this fire tradition began, but according to Eugene Stutz, the "father of chienbåsezugs", the idea stems from a baker's wish to chase away Winter. Bakers living in Liestal at that time used "chien" to heat their stoves. I'm not clear on how this evolved into a fire breathing spectacle, but Stulz, born in 1904 and a baker himself, is the bonafide expert. The flu epidemic and WWII halted the parade tradition and it wasn't until 1946 did the return of carrying torch-filled woods through old town return to full swing. The "chariot of fire", a huge torch-filled bonfire on wheels, originated in 1930 by some pyromaniac mastermind. It continued for many years but was banned in 1948 by the city council for fear of fire outbreaks, only to return again in the early 1960's. In many ways, I commend the city council of Liestal for reinstating the chariots of fire. A procession of men carrying carrying burning bundles of chienbåse through old town would not be as exciting to watch; and I certainly would not have made the effort to drag my entire family from Basel to Liestal just to watch this lavish spectacle.
Click here to view video of Chienbase.
Photos courtesy of the Steiner's