Living customs

There are many customs in every year. In January the "Glöckler" travel the land bringing light into the cold, dark winter nights. In January and February there are organised groups of whip crackers, known as "Aperschnalzer". In May the maypoles are ceremonially hauled into place, in June the summer solstice fires are lit and later there's the "Wild Jagd" with witches and spirits around the Untersberg. There's a custom for every time of year.

At Christimas time, as well as the famous Salzburg Advent Singing event there's also the traditional "Christkindlmarkt" Christmas market in the dome church square, where thousands of visitors every year experience local handicarft, lovingly manufactured Christmas tree decorations, the aroma of Glühwein and Lebkuchen biscuits.

Then there's the atmospheric brass band music flowing from the Glockenspiel on a snowy winter evening when many stop to consciously to soak in the special mood.

This all goes to show that tradition is much more than just rhetoric in Salzburg; it is a well-preserved fact of daily life.

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