Austria Traditions
Austrian folklore derives from the intersection of modern components, originating from the scenery of romantic Vienna, and ancient components of Germanic and Slavic origin, linked to mountain Austria and cemented with the Latin and, in particular, Catholic element. The persistence of local religious traditions, which develop in a considerable breadth of variations, is reflected in the fidelity to great feasts and anniversaries of even non-strictly religious origin and often of very ancient pagan derivation (such as the processions of the winter solstice in the province of Salzburg). Important celebrations are the Kirchtag (Church day), in autumn, and Christmas, which in Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck, but also in many smaller cities, is greeted with the) in which characteristic products are displayed and spiced mulled wine (Glühwein) is mixed. In the Salzkammergut the custom of setting up the nativity scene outside the house is preserved. After all, it is precisely from Austria that the canticle Silent Night, heilige Nacht, has spread all over the world. The Carnival celebrations (Fasching) are also grandiose and the tradition of the Maibaum (May tree) is evocative, a long and heavy pole surmounted by pine wood circles that is erected on April 30 and around which the celebrations continue throughout the night. Local events of great appeal are: the Gauderfest, in the Ziller valley (Tyrol); the Kufenstecher (joust of the barrel), organized on Pentecost Sunday in Feistritz (Carinthia), during which young riders compete in an attempt to break a barrel by hitting it with the club, the Almabfahrt (descent from the alp), typical of mountain areas, which it originates from ancient superstitions: the cattle are decorated with bells, ribbons and garlands to protect them from evil spirits. Dances, music, songs and danced processions make up one of the richest European folkloric repertoires. Among the most famous dances of the Alps, the Ländler, from which the waltz was derived, should be mentioned, among the matrimonial ones the Bandltanz (dance of the ribbon).
According to zipcodesexplorer, characteristic of the Tyrol, but also common to the Bavarian Alps and German-speaking Switzerland, is the Jodler vocalized song of very ancient origin (Giuliano the Apostate already speaks of it). Traditions of particular importance, which are repeated on the occasion of certain festivals, are the Tyrolean wrestling (Rangeln) and the animal fights (Gauderfest). In the vast handicraft production stand out the works in leather and crystal, the furnishings in carved wood (the Tyrolean ones are famous), the wrought irons and the worked branches. The costumes, still worn in many areas, constitute a jealously guarded family and national heritage and do not respond only to tourist needs; the female national costume is the Dirndl and the male one the Steirergewand (of Styrian origin), with leather trousers (Lederhosen) supported by Loden suspenders and jackets . Finally, there is an aristocratic folklore of “imperial” origin, which is expressed especially in the Spanische Reitschule (high riding school founded in Vienna almost four centuries ago) and in the Ball of Nations which, held in the Hofburg, celebrates the entry into society of the children. of the upper middle class. An integral part of Viennese folklore, with the character of real institutions, are the cafes (Kaffeehäusen), in which the daily reading of the newspaper is still repeated as a ritual, and the famous taverns (Heurigen): the former linked to the past political and cultural life of the city, the latter very widespread in the suburbs of the suburbs, especially in Grinzing, and destination, as well as tourists, of the Viennese who flock there every weekend. § Austrian cuisine, which retains the old connotations arising from the meeting of German, Magyar, Slavic and Italian traditions, is well represented by the Wienerschnitzel, the famous Viennese cutlet, and by the Tafelspitz, or boiled beef (which is a kind of national dish), sometimes accompanied by horseradish and apple sauce. Dumplings (Knödel) are served both as a soup and as a side dish. Some real emblems of the Austrian confectionery tradition can be traced back to the pastry school of the Habsburg court such as the Sacher Torte, a dark chocolate cake filled with apricot jam, presented for the first time in 1832 at the court of Prince Metternich, the Strudel (variant of a sweet originally from Turkey), introduced at the end of 1600 when the Habsburgs put an end to the Turkish domination in Hungary, the Gugelhupf, a donut containing raisins and almonds, as well as the so-called “Vienna bread”, a variant of the French brioche and ” ancestor ”of the Italian Pandoro. Mozartkugeln should also be mentioned, chocolates filled with soft nougat and marzipan, Palatschinken (stuffed crêpes sprinkled with powdered sugar), Dobostorte (sponge cake with caramel glaze), Salzburger Nocker l (baked pudding) and Zwetschenknödel n, kind of pancakes stuffed with plums. In addition to various types of wines (dry Riesling, Chardonnay, Traminer), light and dark beers and spirits (Schnap s) are produced in Austria.
