Zug,07.02.2018

What is acceptable, and what is not

Last week one Fasnacht float in Aadorf in the canton of Argovia upset a few people as it said “Switzerland, a paradise for asylum-seekers” on the side. It was the mayor of Kirchberg in the neighbouring canton of St Gallen who wrote to complain about it in the local newspaper.

Fasnacht, of course, is very much the time when locals take the opportunity to make fun of local, national or international events and those who play apart in them.

A journalist of the Zuger Zeitung asked a number of organisers of Fasnacht parades in the various municipalities what was acceptable and what was not.

Carnival parade organiser Marco Fischer of Baar said it was true that political correctness had played a greater part in recent years, though he had not come across any problems with matters highlighted there. “In comparison with other parades, ours are less political,” he said, adding how, in the past, they have featured such characters as Asterix and Obelisk or themes such as 1001 Arabian nights, which he regarded as quite harmless. “The fire engine of the local brigade is rolled out in the parade and can be used to highlight some issue of local politics, but nothing below the belt would be portrayed,” he said. “We do not want Fasnacht parades to be hi-jacked for political purposes. In fact political slogans on floats are taboo; especially this year, with so many elections taking place.”

Andrea Sidler Weiss, who has been responsible for some of floats in the city of Zug for the past three years said that a team looks at what is to be portrayed to make sure nothing is offensive. “What would not be permitted, for example, would be anything sexist or racist,” she said.
 
Meanwhile over in Hünenberg, Peter Spieler, who has been organising Fasnacht parades there since 2010, said that themes could be direct, but often there was only fine line which separated what was acceptable and what was not. “Anything too defamatory or hurtful would not be allowed, “he said, adding how they had had no such problems in the past. As in Zug, those who prepare the floats have to submit what they are going to portray in advance for approval. “We just trust those who do prepare the floats actually keep to what they have said,” he added.

One Fasnacht journal, which has caused offence in past, is the Feuerhorn, published by a section of the Voluntary Fire Brigade of Zug; in fact one year legal action was threatened. “One must remember Fasnacht is Fasnacht, after all,” said organiser Roland Föhn. “Hence things can be pointed and amusing. However, we would draw the line at criticising anyone personally. There are limits,” he said, as he also explained that no names were mentioned in the journal and nothing of a sexist or racist nature would be allowed, either. As to what is included, a committee decides on that, at meetings “where all is hotly debated” he admitted.