Interview with Maria Liebenwein, Romana Haderer and Elisabeth Afik
As every year, the herb festival in Anthering will take place on August 15, 2024.
Maria Liebenwein, Romana Haderer and Elisabeth Afik tell us about this beautiful tradition.
How did the decision to create a herb garden in Anthering come about?
The idea and initiative for a ‘herb garden for everyone’ came from Frieda Aigner.
Together with a few like-minded people and great support from her husband Hermann and the mayor at the time, Alois Ehrenreich, she implemented this great project in 1992. It was also so special because 32 years ago, herbs were simply not as ‘in’ as they are today.
What makes the Anthering herb garden so special?
The variety and diversity of the plants make the garden unique. More than 300 herbs are cultivated and cared for here.
Another special feature is that the garden is freely accessible as a show garden at all times.
Who looks after the garden throughout the year? Who are the people behind this natural paradise?
We are a community of over 30 people who look after this garden together. Each member has their own task or area. There are also experts in our group: we have three herb teachers, a gardener and our ‘Taferlbuam’, Schwaiger Toni, a clay artist who takes care of the correct labeling of our plants. Everyone can contribute their talent here, which makes our group very ‘colorful’.
In addition to Frieda Aigner, the Herr family must also be mentioned here, without whom our garden would not be what it is today.
What does the herb garden offer?
Everyone is invited to enjoy the garden with its colors and scents. Guided tours are not currently offered, but we are happy to have a “garden chat” with our visitors when the opportunity arises.
We have already carried out several projects together with the elementary school, the kindergarten groups like to visit us and this year the library is offering a book picnic in the garden for primary school children.
There are always workshops for our employees, e.g. “Pottery with Toni” or “Wreath making with Maria”.
What highlights have there been in the garden since its creation?
Highlights in the 32 years were certainly the publication of two books, various unforgettable festivals that were celebrated in the garden, including a scarecrow festival in which all Anthering clubs were involved.
Then there were several projects with school classes, including one in which the schoolchildren made garden spirits for the garden.
For us herb witches, our trips, e.g. to Cornwall or Madeira, are certainly some of our best memories. These trips are always organized by our travel expert Grete Koller.
As a tourism association, we market the town as the ‘natural village of Anthering’ – what significance do you think the herb garden has for this?
We think that our garden plays a very important role in this. Two years ago, on Elisabeth Afik’s initiative, we were awarded the ‘Nature in the Garden’ badge, which means that we do not use synthetic chemical fertilizers, pesticides or peat in our garden and promote biodiversity.
And a little time out in the herb garden, surrounded by the wonderful scent, is a real treat for body, mind and soul.
What are your favorite herbs and why?
There are many, but sage with its tangy scent is one of my favorites, plus it’s a real all-rounder! Nasturtium, with its bright flowers, pungent taste and healing power for infections and inflammation, is also a favorite plant. – Maria Liebenwein
Are there any changes/developments planned for the herb garden?
The biggest change probably took place a few months ago, when our ‘chief herb witch’ Frieda Aigner stepped down as head of the garden after 32 years.
There is now a management team with Elisabeth Afik, Romana Haderer and Maria Liebenwein. We hope that we will succeed in continuing Frieda’s work in her spirit, but the footsteps are very big!
We also always welcome new committed volunteer members.
Tell us a bit about this year’s herb garden festival.
The time around our herb market on August 15 is the most labor-intensive time of the year. The day before the festival, we bind up to 500 bunches of herbs, which are then consecrated at the festival service and distributed afterwards.
The products that we make throughout the year are sold at the festival itself. We now have an incredibly wide range of products – from our tea blends to creams, oxymeles, herbal specialties, flower wreaths, fragrant herbal oils and much more. Of course, our visitors are also provided with food and drink, and the herb garden festival is clearly the highlight of the herb garden year.
Was the festival held every year without exception?
Yes, the festival takes place every year in the herb garden. Our ‘connection to the weather gods’ is almost legendary, even our oldest employees can only remember one really rainy festival! Perhaps it has something to do with (herbal) witchcraft after all?
