Thursday 25 July 2013

Time for a "Fest" with a difference


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.
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….

Volunteer chasing a €5 note attached to the speeding car