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Basel hands over colorful carnival lanterns to Vienna at the ESC handover!
Basel will give Vienna a carnival lantern at the end of the ESC 2026. A cultural highlight with drums and traditions.
Basel hands over colorful carnival lanterns to Vienna at the ESC handover!
On January 12, 2026 the time had come: the exciting season change in the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) was celebrated in Vienna City Hall. Basel officially handed over its role as host city to Vienna, and the handover was ceremoniously celebrated with a special tradition of carnival lanterns and musical sounds. Basel's district president Conradin Cramer presented an artistically crafted carnival lantern to Vienna's mayor Michael Ludwig during the draw for the 2026 ESC semi-finals. This gift symbolizes not only the connection between the two cities, but also the cultural heritage that they share with each other, as was already seen in the past at the common Basilisk Fountain in Vienna's city park for the 2008 European Football Championship.
The carnival lantern, decorated with the pictures of the ESC winner JJ as well as typical landmarks such as the Vienna Opera House and the Basel Cathedral, was carried through the city center of Vienna by a costumed carnival group. Accompanied by Basel drums and piccolos, a festive hustle and bustle unfolded that put the Viennese population in high spirits. In his speech, Cramer emphasized the important cultural connection between Basel and Vienna and gave the advice to design the ESC as a festival for the population. This recommendation is no coincidence, as the ESC has traditionally always thrilled the masses and is an event of international standing.
ESC 2026: semi-finals and participants
With Vienna as the new host city, the semi-finals of the ESC 2026 are following in exciting footsteps. Two semi-finals are on the agenda: Israel, Greece, Belgium, Sweden and Croatia have to give their best in the first, while Denmark, Romania, Switzerland and Norway will compete in the second. Germany, France, Italy, Great Britain and host Austria are directly qualified for the final. The motto for this year is “United by Music”, which further underlines the unifying nature of music.
The new edition of the competition is not only a highlight for the participating countries, but also appeals to a broad audience. Every year, over 180 million viewers watch the presentations and the subsequent awarding of points. The Eurovision Song Contest is not only a competition for the best music, but also a platform that celebrates internationality and diversity and builds bridges between cultures.
A look into history
The ESC has a long tradition that dates back to 1956, when the first event took place in Lugano. Originally launched by Marcel Bezençon, the competition has continued to develop. With a variety of musical performances and a variety of participating countries, ranging from Europe to Australia, the event has also made many artists international stars. The ESC is particularly popular in the LGBT scene and has also inspired other competitions such as the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.
The “City Handover” in Vienna and the impressive handover of the carnival lantern are not only a beautiful custom, but also deepen the existing dynamic between the two cities, which are connected by their love of music and culture. So we only have one thing left to wish: May the ESC 2026 be an unforgettable celebration!
For further reading about the Eurovision Song Contest and its fascinating history, visit the article at Wikipedia or find out more about the festive handovers at SRF and Swiss Press.