Who would have thought at Christmas that our Flachgau would be as white as it is now? I’ve been meaning to get back to you for weeks to describe how the days “between the years” (with snow) are celebrated in Anthering. It was worth the wait, now it’s here, WINTER. The holidays are over and everyday life is slowly returning – but with this poem by Thomas Verwanger I would like to encourage you not to forget the MITANOND that we were often able to experience very intensively at Christmas time:
Mitanond
live until the sterm
Mitanond
like the star and the moon
Mitanond
punch and rean
Mitanond
like the booklet on the moon
Mitanond
gfrein und sorgn
Mitanond
a coffee in the morning
Mitanond
like the sea and the sun
Mitanond
like wine and wine
Mitanond
they are happy about wos gfrein
Mitanond
like the Vicha am Lond
Talk about everything at
Mitanond
that’s life
This was particularly noticeable at the turn of the year. The clubs in the village are growing together – Mitanond! Traditions are upheld. This year it was a real challenge, the Aperschnalzen on December 31. Even the spectators, who usually come in droves, were a long time coming this year. It was pouring with rain. But a real Aperschnalzer needs the snow and ice to welcome in the New Year.
The Prangerschützen Anthering also meet on December 31st to welcome in the new year. High up at Radauer Georg with a fabulous view of Salzburg. Well, if the weather is clear… None of the marksmen’s friends miss out on this end-of-year event – they are all there to show us their skills. I also asked why there were so many of them. Fredi says “Jo meinst i will pay a fine” and laughs! So that’s how it is, if you don’t take part, you have to pay a fine. Another “Mitanond”!
The star shooting is a young tradition by shooting standards, has been held since 1967 to bid farewell to the old year and welcome in the new year by currently 40 Salzburg Prangerschützen clubs, starting at 3 p.m. from the shooting companies furthest away from the city of Salzburg at 15-minute intervals in a star shape, becoming ever closer to the provincial capital and ending at 4:15 p.m. on the Staatsbrücke.
The pictures you get to see from me this time are just how the weather was this year. Dreary and dark. But the faces of the people in them show you what “Mitanond” is all about. Our guests who were with us in Anthering on New Year’s Eve were able to experience what tradition means.
We would have loved to visit the VEGA observatory at the top of the Kaiserbuche. But the visibility was too poor. Now the path is closed, the masses of snow are causing trees to fall over – like matchsticks. It’s too dangerous. So I’ll tell you about the VEGA observatory in the spring. The Antheringer Au is also closed.
Exploring the winter landscape on snowshoes is possible. Directly behind the Raggeibräu in Acharting, for example, a path leads up to Gottfried Traintinger’s farm. With the amount of snow we have now, a snowshoe hike is the best way to cross the fields. Via Schmiedsberg and Adelsberg you reach a wooded area. At this point, we have reached a border again. Here, too, you would walk through the forest via the Haunsbergrundwanderweg to the observatory. There is too much weight on the trees – it is too dangerous.
BUT: the view from up here is breathtaking. Don’t you agree?
After so much fresh snowy air, a warming cup of tea in the Raggeibräu is a real treat. The variety of home-brewed beers on offer here is worth seeing and tasting. Home-style cooking “in harmony with nature” is also on offer. Don’t miss out on this!
Thinking about spring now, when people are snowed in in Salzburger Land, is probably far too early. And yet I’m already looking forward to my next report from my beautiful homeland.
See you soon, your elf!