The metropolitan centre in the North and the rural districts in the South, each have a charm of their own. In between, delightful smaller towns and enchanting villages can be found, each of them with its own cultural traditions. Cinemas, theatres, art galleries and small museums offer a variety of interesting activities. Every year, the beginning of the local carnival is marked by the Liestal “Chienbäse” fire ceremony. The night before the world-famous Basel carnival officially begins, a procession of people carries burning bundles of pinewood chips (called Chienbäse, the Alemannic German for "pinewood besom") through the medieval town centre, entering through the city gate from the south. In more recent times, the Chienbäse has been augmented with carts carrying bonfires, with flames often reaching as high as the houses. The parade is attended by thousands of spectators from Switzerland and countries around the globe, closely packed on both sides of the small streets. Late in summer, the thousands of years old Roman town of Augusta Raurica hosts the largest Roman festival in Switzerland. More than 20,000 enthusiastic visitors come to see how Roman gladiators, legionnaires, artisans and tradespeople used to live. Basel-Landschaft also boasts many lively associations offering sports and/or social and cultural events. The canton’s capital alone (population about 15,000) counts 161 such associations.
