Kleinbasel (little Basel), on the right bank of the River Rhine, celebrated Vogel Gryff on Monday. The three characters Wilde Maa (the wild man), Vogel Gryff (the griffin) and Leu (the lion) danced on the Mittlerebrücke (Middle Bridge) in front of hundreds of spectators and guests of honour. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox In keeping with tradition, the three figures danced on the bridge with their backs to Grossbasel (big Basel). The Vogel Gryff festival has nothing to do with carnival.