Glöcklerlauf Procession

January 05, 2007, 6:00pm

EBENSEE - The Origin of all Glöcklerlauf Processions
Nowhere will you find more beautiful headgears than in Ebensee!

Ebenseer Glöckler (Foto Reinhard Hörmandinger)

Staying in Upper Austria for the holiday season, you can experience centuries-old folk traditions that are unique to this region. Probably the most beautiful custom of all is the "Glöcklerlauf" Procession, deeply steeped in history and tradition. Every year on January 05, the eve of Epiphany, groups of white-dressed men meet at nightfall, wearing heavy lanterns on their heads to tour the streets of Ebensee, a market town on the shores of Traunsee Lake. The aim of this unique parade is to shed light during the dark winter months and to reawake nature from its winter sleep.

The elaborate headgears, weighing up to 20 kg, can be considered true works of art, as their skilful production takes hundreds of hours. Various draftsmen design the images, which is not that easy as no single motif may be used twice. The motifs are then cut out from heavyweight black paper and decorated with colorful tissue paper. Various candles are fixed in the interior of the wooden trestle to illuminate the headgear. In addition, the men wear broad leather belts with heavy bells ("Glocken" in German) attached. Finally, all men dress up in long white robes.

The procession is kicked-off with a gun salute at 6:00pm. The procession is preceded by a man without elaborate headgear but with a pole. The men parade along the main street from Rathaus square to the local authority office and to all hamlets of the village. The Ebensee Glöcklerlauf Procession takes place in all weathers. Admission is free; however, voluntary contributions are welcome. On January 06, 2007, 10:00am to 5:00pm, the most beautiful headgears are on display at Rathaussaal and at Rindbach Shooting Range.