It is the
season of “Fests”. Benches and tables laid out, marquees erected, chickens skewered,
beer barrels rolled in, musical instruments tuned and invitations delivered to
every household. The band will play, the benches groan, the beer will flow and
fun will be had by all. The marquee will be packed to overflowing and filled
with conversation.
The formula has
been honed over the years and everyone has a pretty good idea what to expect.
There is comfort in the knowledge there will be no surprises and everyone will
go home happy – maybe some a little happier than the others.
It is tempting
to imagine what would happen if something completely different was tried. This thought
took root at a festival of street entertainers in Ireland – imagine such a
thing in Embach!
What would the
traditionalists think of the rubber band boy who hideously distorted his face by
putting elastic bands round his head, the Japanese who balanced a china tea pot
on a stick held in his mouth or the acrobats juggling with their real live
baby. The city centre of Cork was buzzing with crowds buying gourmet sausages,
riding the helter skelter and watching continuous performances on three stages.
Audience
participation is essential. Would the Mexican acrobat get four Embachers to
support his pole while he did a handstand on the top? Would one of the local
girls embrace his muscular but sweaty body and spin around the arena on a steel
ring? Would the Aussie get a little boy to chase after a €5 note on the back of
an electric car? Would anyone understand the patter that is all part of street
performance? Probably not.
While this
particular event is unlikely ever to come to an alpine village, it begs the
question; is there something new, more novel that Embach could do? Possibly
something more imaginative and cultural than nearby Rauris’ (spoof?) male strip
show and Zell am See’s girls in dirndls jumping into the lake.
In Embach a
start has been made with the Bauerngolf course on which each “hole” is
constructed of old farming equipment, cunningly devised to create a challenge.
Completing the course involves a good walk around the outlying parts of the
village – so it has the added benefit of encouraging visitors to reach the
parts they might not otherwise get to see.
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| Enjoy a country walk following Embach's Bauerngolf course |
One or two new
creative ideas might even win over a few of the traditionalist fest goers. All suggestions welcome….
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| Volunteer chasing a €5 note attached to the speeding car |
