Press release
Immersing in Real Tradition: Pinzgau “Costume Sleigh
and Tradition Festival” in Zell am See-Kaprun
Goaßln and Böndln at the biggest winter open-air costume event in the
Alpine region
Zell am See-Kaprun (w&p), 11 December 2013 – 80 antique sleighs,100 noble local
Noriker horses and a variety of traditional costumes: On 2 February 2014 the biggest
open-air costume event of the Alpine region starts at 1 pm in the streets of the town
center of Zell am See. 500 active participants from the entire Pinzgau region
impressively demonstrate genuine peasant folk culture with a long-lasting history
during the “Costume Sleigh and Tradition Festival”. This event has been arranged in
irregular intervals on special occasions and happenings since 1906. In 2014 again the
event takes visitors and locals back to almost forgotten times and demonstrates
genuine customs and old conventions of the rural population when engaging with their
nicely decorated horses.
Goaßl and Böndl – Sleighs with tradition
Two kinds of sleighs called “Goaßl“ and “Böndl” are used in the costume sleigh parade.
The oldest Pinzgau sleigh is “Goaßl”, which is named after the skids that resemble the
upward bent horns of a buck – the Goaß. The farmer’s legs hang down on both sides
of the sleigh and behind him there is enough space for his wife. On the second sleigh,
“Böndl”, driver and co-driver can sit next to each other. Böndl are elaborate sleighs with
beautiful basketworks, carved or painted wooden parts as well as features made of
wrought iron. A farmer’s wife who takes part in the parade explains the difference as
follows: “Wenn’s an Stritt gebm hat, nacha hat da Baua s’Goaßl eingspannt – balds alls
passt hat, aft san ma mitn Böndl ausg’fahrn“. The translation is: if they had had a fight,
the farmer harnessed the Goaßl; if everything was fine, they used the Böndl. Riding the
Goaßl characterized the daily routine in winter in the Pinzgau region before
motorization and was a means of transport for both people and goods. In order to
rekindle this tradition and give visitors and locals an understanding of it, the costume
sleigh and tradition festival takes place for the first time in the 21th century. The entire
town of Zell am See contribute to the faithful realization by raising flags along the path
of the parade and actively helping with the preparations.
Pinzgau Costume Sleigh rides in honor of the first cable car in the Salbzurger
Land
The magnificent parade through the town center of Zell has always been a tribute to big
and important events in order to celebrate and honor them. In 1928 the first cable car
of the Salzburger Land was opened up on the Schmittenhöhe and it was considered to
be one of the most modern cable cars back then. To celebrate this opening numerous
farmers paraded through the town with their best horses in one of the biggest costume
sleigh parades at the time. Since Zell am See-Kaprun had had a good reputation as a
winter sports venue very early, the 5th Academic Winter Games were hosted there from
2 to 7 February 1937. These contests, too, were used as an opportunity to harness the
Noriker horses up the elaborately carved sleighs and stage a costume sleigh exhibition.
Amongst the then guests of honor was the Dutch Queen with her husband.
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Press release
Further information on the Costume Sleigh and Tradition Festival is available at
www.zellamsee-kaprun.com.
About Zell am See-Kaprun:
Glacier, mountains, lake – the Austrian year-round holiday destination Zell am See-Kaprun
combines the entire diversity of the Alps. In the unique natural paradise situated in the
immediate vicinity of the national park Hohe Tauern, sports people, active holidaymakers,
families and people looking for relaxation alike find a diversified choice of activities and
adventures both in summer and in winter. Among these are the “Peakworld 3.000” on the
Kitzsteinhorn glacier, the only glacial ski region in the Salzburger Land, the family region
Maiskogel, the local mountain Schmittenhöhe as well as the crystal clear Lake Zell and the
multiple award winning 36-hole championship golf course. Tradition and authenticity are
mirrored in the events and culinary specialties of the region. Guests find relaxation in four star
superior hotel TAUERN SPA Zell am See-Kaprun as well as in many further spa and wellness
hotels in Zell am See-Kaprun.
For further information and printable footage please contact:
Zell am See-Kaprun Tourismus GmbH
Mag. Marina Latini
Phone +43 (0)6542 - 770
welcome@zellamsee-kaprun.com
www.zellamsee-kaprun.com
www.facebook.com/zellamseekaprun
www.twitter.com/ZellKaprun
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