The Glöcklerlauf is a tradition practiced in the Salzkammergut region of Austria with pre-Christian roots. This parade of Glöckler (“bell-ringers”) who carry bells and large, lit-up caps marks the end of the Rauhnächte, the darkest and most dangerous time of the year. This parade of art and light chases out the evil winter spirits and ushers in a new season of good and light.
In my town, these Glöckler run 8 kilometers through our neighborhoods, and the caps they carry weigh around 14 kilos. The run takes about 3 hours to complete. The caps represent local landmarks, stories, and even biblical scenes. They’re handmade and passed down for many years.
Food, drinks, and donations are given to the Glöckler to thank them for protecting our villages by ushering in light. This is my second favorite winter tradition here! It’s much more gorgeous in person.
Never trust a Swedish-Russian-Estonian- English count poet and author of the macabre, who probably had not seen the entirety of the Styrian region.
“Vampire stories are generally located in Styria; mine is also. Styria is by no means the romantic kind of place described by those who have certainly never been there. It is a flat, uninteresting country, only celebrated by its turkeys, its capons, and the stupidity of its inhabitants.” (“The Sad Vampire”)
All right, Count Eric Stanislaus Stenbock, whose anniversary of his interment falls tomorrow, I’ll forgive your ignorance as you lived during the Victorian era.
Graz, the region’s capital, is governed by the communists. I admit that their mentality is different from the Viennese. But Styria is considered to be the lung of the country because of how green it is. Don’t tell me there is nothing romantic in here. One Austrian archduke found his one true love in this region despite his family’s disappointment.