Schnitzelbank

A Schnitzel Bank is in Switzerland a compilation of short verses that are usually recited rhythmically or vocally, and the audience will cheer with the humorous portrayal of actual or general human events.

Particular difficulty and stimulus be to raise an issue at the audience in a very few words, and to give him a Pointe a startling twist: each in shorter and fewer lines is accomplished, the greater is the art of Schnitzelbänklers. Schnitzel banks are to wedding parties and other celebrations, carnival, etc. written and performed by individuals or small groups. Often, the lecture will be accompanied by one or a few musical instruments, and usually show the Schitzelbänkler before and on the individual verses related posters ( Helgen ), which introduce the theme of the verse, the punch line but do not prejudge.

Schnitzel benches are in the tradition of Bänkelsangs. They are a fundamental element of the Basel Fasnacht in Basel. But they are also in other places in Switzerland and West Germany known and are presented as part of the Swabian- Alemannic carnival and are always influenced by the local dialect.

Historic Broad to Bänkel and ballad singers between the 17th and 19th century to the present Schnitzel Bank were cited several times because of their affinity for sarcasm, but concrete, etymological evidence this failed to materialize so far.

The name Schnitzel Bank dates back to the time of the cooper's workshop. On this special workbench wood staves were carved, needed to create the barrel manufacture.