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It is clear from Monday: there should be a Carnival in 2021. But much remains to be clarified. Telebasel met with the president of the Committee, Pia Inderbitzin, and spoke with her about the possible Cortège and cooperation with the government.
Telebasel: Mrs. Inderbitzin, will there be Cortège next year?
Pia Inderbitzin: There will be a carnival that will definitely not turn out as usual. I still can’t tell you if there is Cortège.
In the press release you write that instead of nine hours of Cortège you will also carry out other activities. So there will be no movement?
Normally we are “only” responsible for the nine hours of Cortège. The carnival includes more. We are ready to organize carnival activities that last the entire Carnival. It is not yet clear what they will look like.
Why are you now assuming the role that you would not otherwise have?
We are like a label for the carnival. We organize a part. Now we are taking the initiative because we have to invent a completely new carnival.
They asked you to send them ideas for Carnival 2021. How has the response been so far?
The campaign has been running for two days. We collect the ideas, sift them, and then work with them.
Much is still unclear now. Wouldn’t it be time to do it? It won’t be long until the next carnival.
We still have almost half a year left. And about half a year ago it was canceled. We are in the middle of that time now. Now we have to move forward and we want to move forward.
How is the exchange with the government?
We have to have the government on board. We have already had conversations with four government councilors. And that was very good. We have to think in the same direction, otherwise it won’t work. You need the authorities, the carnival and the population.
What kind of signals were sent?
Very positive signs. We were allowed to choose which people in the departments we wanted to work with for planning. The wishes were fulfilled.
But other cantons have already canceled Carnival. Why not in Basel?
In June we had a conversation with epidemiologist Marcel Tanner. He is also on the Federal Council working group. Tanner encouraged us that carnival activities were possible with the proper protection concept and that we should move on. Man is a social being and needs culture. Now we have to come back to life.
Does that mean that normality can be won with a carnival that is not entirely normal?
Yes, that is also an opportunity. Now people start to think creatively. This can also be an opportunity to liven up the carnival.
See the full interview with Committee Chair Pia Inderbitzin here. (Video: Telebasel)
