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Hi from Basel!
I’m back at the place where Alphorns resurrected everything from “Euphoria” to “The Code”, and even Remo Forrer couldn’t help but sing Loreen‘s “Tattoo”.
Messe Basel, a grand exhibition center whose stunning architecture, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, brought it to the cover of my article on free things to do in Basel, first hosted Eurovision Village as one of the ESC locations. But, just two weeks later, another great feast followed.
There was not much advertising around it, probably because superfans already snagged their tickets months ago. Only when I saw an elf walking down the street did I learn: the Swiss answer to Comic Con was in town!
Fantasy Basel is a festival for gamers, tech geeks, science nerds, art lovers, and, not least, thousands of cosplayers.
If you’re not familiar with cosplay (short for costume play), it’s the art of dressing up as characters from movies, anime, comics, video games, or other pop culture sources.
Putting a costume on is not enough; cosplayers also mimic the mannerisms of their favorite characters, bringing them to life.
I’ve seen many extraordinarily elaborate creations – Basel was definitely a European center of cosplay passion this weekend.
Whether you are into “Star Wars”, “Wuthering Waves”, “League of Legends”, “Hazbin Hotel”, “Harry Potter”, or any other major or minor fandom, Fantasy Basel was the place to find like-minded spirits.
But who am I to convince you it was an extraordinary gathering? Take a look at the gallery of visitors, and let me know if you have a favorite!
Did you ever put on a costume outside of the carnival season? (Or local money heist?)
Eight years ago, I was organizing Bestiarum, back then the largest fetish feast in the Balkans.
Even though that’s another story, the lesson is probably similar: there is something restorative in abandoning the usual constrictions of society and, let’s say, being a Snow White for a day.
In these crazy times of fear, when we require people’s faces to be always visible and clearly identifiable, walking around in masks shows that a world without bad intentions is still possible.
It’s probably just a short-term illusion, as laws in Switzerland do ban wearing masks and helmets in public spaces.
But for these three days, an exception was made. And we allowed the universe of furries and warriors, “Silent Hill” Pyramid Heads and “Squid Game” Pink Guards to spill into the streets.
Dystopian characters in a utopia where everyone can co-exist next to each other.
If that’s not a special lesson, I don’t know what is.
Have a tolerance-filled week!
Ivan Kralj
Pipeaway.com
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