Lozärner Fasnachts Committee shocks with bad news

If the ban on large crowds of people remains in place over the long term, the Lucerne Carnival could also be at risk. Nevertheless, the Lozärner Fasnachts Committee (LFK) hopes for a more or less "regular" carnival in 2021.

The Lozärner Fasnachts Committee (LFK) shocked everyone on Wednesday morning with some possible bad news. Among other things, it stated: "What would have been thought almost impossible just a few weeks ago could become a fact, depending on the course  of the Corona infection in the next few weeks and months: The Lucerne Carnival may not take place!"

Such a scenario must realistically be "included in a Plan B", the LFK states. At the same time, however, the highest Lucerne carnival body emphasizes: "At the moment, all our efforts, from the management to the committee managers and the delegates, are taking place with confidence, and the anticipation of a more or less "regular" carnival in 2021." The planned carnival start next year is on Schmutzigen Donnerstag (Dirty Thursday), February 11, 2021.

The carnival goers stand tightly packed at the Fritschi-Tagwache of the Lucerne Fasnacht on the Kapellplatz. Here, social distancing is impossible.

Just a few months ago, he would never have imagined that he would have to deal with such a scenario, said long-time LFK media spokesman Peti Federer on request. "But, when the Basel carnival had to be cancelled three days before the start this year, it opened the eyes of many people."

Lucerne was able to carry out its carnival just before the extent of the crisis became known, and was therefore lucky in two respects, says Federer: "In some places in Ticino, the carnival there has proved, in retrospect, to have been a corona hotspot."

Pre-carnival events cancelled without replacement
The next carnival in Lucerne is still relatively far away, says Federer. And, as of today, he is confident that it will take place. "But we still have to consider all the eventualities. What if a second corona wave hits our country?" Are there already concrete alternative scenarios? Could the Lucerne Carnival be carried out in a reduced manner? That would be difficult, says Federer: "There are naturally uncontrollable crowds of people at the carnival. The concept of social distancing is unworkable."

All meetings of the LFK members are currently being held via video conference. Several pre-carnival events have already been cancelled without replacement, such as the Helper's Festival for the "Chrampferinnen und Chrampfer" of the LFK carnival market  (Fasnachtsmäärt), the ‘Usgüüglete’ as well as at the Mask Courses. The ceremonial enthronement of the new LFK president Dani Abächerli, scheduled for 26 June 2020, has also been cancelled.

Preparations for carnival are underway
As far as possible, preparations for the carnival 2021 are still underway, says Federer. For example, the choice of the new LFK badge for 2021 will take place in an adapted manner, in conformity with the current Corona regulations. "That means that the pre-selection will take place in a small, orderly setting – with social distancing and coordinated limitations on the number of persons in the LFK office," says Federer. The final selection of the 2021 badge will be made, for the first time, by video-conference at the LFK General Assembly on 26 May 2020. The new plaque will be presented to the public on Saturday, 7 November 2020.