Easter time in the Salzburg Lungau region is a celebration of living traditions and colorful customs. Each community cultivates its own rituals, which are passed down from generation to generation and make Easter an incomparable experience.
The traditional Easter bonfire is impressive, but not the sole Easter customs in the Lungau region. Many other traditions play a central role too and make this time of the year something very special. From solemn processions to lovingly designed Easter nests – the unique traditions in the Salzburg Lungau region create a festive and contemplative atmosphere.
The palm bushes made of willow and beech branches in the Palm Sunday procession are reminiscent of the palm branches at Christ's entry into Jerusalem. The palm bushes are usually tied by the father or grandfather and decorated with colorful crepe or tissue paper bows and florets. After consecration, they are carried into the garden or field as a symbol of defense and fertility or kept in the house and used as consecration herbs on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
The painting of eggs for Easter began in the 12th/13th century and the red Easter egg was the norm in Austria until the beginning of the First World War. Soon after, Easter eggs appeared in a wide variety of colors and are still carved, sprinkled, written on, glued and painted on today. A special feature in Salzburger Lungau is the dyeing of so-called "Grawirlach eggs".
A boiled egg is placed on a linen cloth covered with "Grawirlach" (shaggy, green chervil herb), "Kasbleamen" (crocus) and onion skins, wrapped, tied together at both ends and placed in the egg dye for a few minutes. This creates particularly beautiful and unique patterns on the eggs. Easter eggs are a symbol of fertility and new beginnings.
©Lilly Macheiner
From Maundy Thursday to Good Friday, it is mostly schoolchildren who parade through the villages of Salzburg Lungau region with their rattling drums (made from wood), announcing the times in front of the houses and singing: "Wir ratschen, wir ratschen den englischen Gruas (= Engelsgruß), den jeder Christgläubige betn muas. Foits niada auf enkane Knia, bets drei Vaterunser und a Ave Maria" (translation: We rattle, we rattle the holy greeting, that every chrisitan shall pray. Fall down on your knees, pray 3 Our Fathers and a Hail Mary). On the last day, they sing: "We rattle and rattle together for the last time, because the bells are back from Rome." Then they go into the houses and ask for a small gift - usually a red egg, sweets or some money.
In this ancient game in Wölting, girls and boys line up in pairs on Easter Monday. One boy - the Gones "Gänserich" - calls out "Gones, Gones, kikeriki - des letzten Paarl her für mi". The pair then run forward separately and if the Gones manages to catch the girl, the losing boy is the new Gones.
What makes us special?
Find out in the Lungau Newsletter!
The perfect way to stay up to date.
