Carnival "made in Switzerland": Wartau residents delight audiences as Migros elves
Carnival "made in Switzerland": Wartau residents delight audiences as Migros elves
The large M towers above, orange shopping baskets are everywhere, and Swiss cult products such as Migros Ice Tea and the nostalgic "Handy" dishwashing liquid line the shelves: a moving truck, lovingly decorated as Migros! Surrounding it is a whole crowd of large and small elves, with whom the Wartau parade group brings the famous Migros advertising star Finn to life. With shiny gold aluminum bowls on their heads and red lights, they make the typical "Miip" sound when scanning at the checkout almost audible. In the middle of it all is the organizing committee of the Wartau Carnival, Wa-Fa, originally dressed as Ovomaltine, Elmer Citro, Zweifel Chips, or El Tony Mate. "Gmacht im Schwiizerland" is intended to celebrate diversity, creativity, and all things typically Swiss – in other words, everything that makes our homeland unique," explains Wa-Fa President Moritz Nänni.
Wartau Carnival: Parade now on Saturday
After around 20 years, there is a major change to the Wartau Carnival program: the big carnival parade is being moved from Sunday to Saturday to make the program more attractive and fluid. The change is already having an effect: "While around 25 groups registered in previous years, this year there are already almost 40," says the Wa-Fa president happily. As in previous years, the Wartau Carnival will begin on Friday with the Beizenfasnacht and the masked ball in the festival tent, including an awards ceremony and live music.
February 20: After Work Carnival
- From 8:20 p.m. Masked ball in the festival tent
- and pub carnival
February 21: Carnival Saturday
- 11:11 a.m.: Children's masked ball in the tent
- 3:15 p.m.: Carnival parade
- Immediately afterwards: Monster concert
- Party in the tent and in the bars
Also new this year: on Saturday, a festival restaurant will be open in the tent throughout the day for the first time. To ensure that the Wartau Carnival runs smoothly and successfully, the active support of numerous clubs and groups is required – above all the local Guggenmusik "Moosfürz," TV Azmoos, the Oberschan gymnastics club, the Weite women's gymnastics club, the Azmoos boys' club, and FC Trübbach. They all pitch in, helping with the setup, bar operations, and cleanup, thus contributing significantly to the success of the Wartau Carnival. "Carnival is much more than just a festival," emphasizes Moritz Nänni. "It promotes cohesion in the village, connects generations, and provides space for humor and exuberance." It is therefore difficult for him to name a personal highlight: "Every year, I am satisfied when everything runs smoothly, visitors have a carefree time with us, and go home from the Wartau Carnival with a smile on their faces."
Successful relaunch 20 years ago
The Wartau Carnival was revived in 2005 on the initiative of the "Gugga Moosfürz." Various associations and restaurants in the community met at the "Hirschen" in Weite to lay the foundation for today's Wartau Carnival. The aim was to revive the old customs of the carnival season in Wartau and breathe new life into them with fresh ideas. The organizing committee at the time was broadly based from the outset: representatives of the "Moosfürz," the municipality, the catering industry, FC Trübbach, the Weite women's gymnastics club, the carnival society, and two committed carnival enthusiasts joined forces.
From the outset, it was very important to the organizing committee to be considerate of local residents, comply with legal requirements and guidelines, ensure the protection of minors, and promote safety and order. This responsible approach led to a high level of acceptance among the population and generous support from various circles in the region. "This success made it possible to continuously develop the Wartau carnival, involve young and committed people in the board, and implement new ideas," says founding member and long-time former OC president Rolf Hobi.
Rolf Hobi (front, second from left) at the founding of the Wartau Carnival around 20 years ago.
Retired chief jester: "Once Wa-Fa, always Wa-Fa!"
Rolf Hobi has had a significant influence on the Wartau Carnival over the past 20 years and has contributed decisively to its success. As its founder and long-standing president, he laid the foundation for today's carnival celebrations with his tireless commitment and passion. He is still involved today as a member and helper and, in his own words, enjoys carnival more than ever – whether as Butzi at the masked ball, as Nini at the children's masked ball, or with his family as "Egga Hobi Mäuse" in the parade.
One of his personal highlights as a "retired chief jester," as he jokingly calls himself, is the basic idea of joining forces and ideas, with the necessary respect, vision, and responsibility, to create something for the preservation of an important tradition. "My greatest reward is the countless friendships, the camaraderie between clubs and guests, the joy and the sparkling eyes of the children – and, of course, the awareness that I have contributed in my own small way to the success of Wa-Fa," says "Rölfli." He wishes his successors in the Wa-Fa organizing committee and carnival friends throughout the region the same drive and joy in the carnival celebrations for the next 20 years that he himself experienced in his younger years: "Once Wa-Fa, always Wa-Fa! Anyone who is a passionate carnival enthusiast will always love it!"
Experience the Wartau carnival for yourself: www.wa-fa.ch
