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11. -16. Januar 2016
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“WAMPELER PARADE” IN AXAMS
Thursday, 4th of February 2016
At the village square in Axams and more performances along the
parade route, starting from 1 pm. The event takes place in all
weathers.
The “Axamer Wampelerreiten” is a fascinating custom that takes
place in the municipality of Axams, close to Innsbruck. During the
parade, the riders have to try to throw the straw-stuffed “Wampe-
ler” on their backs. The struggle symbolises the battle between the
departing winter and the arriving spring. The event takes place on
Fat Thursday every year. “For many local inhabitants, it is the most
important day of the whole year,” explains organiser Patrick Auer,
who plays an important role in the parade. More information on
the “Axamer Fasnacht” can be found on Innsbruck’s Tourism blog:
EN
role has to be passed on from father to son. The audience has to keep
away, only watching is allowed, as otherwise people could get hurt in
this crazy battle… There is some sort of custodians, who make sure that
the severity of injuries is kept within tolerable levels. When a “Wampe-
ler” gets tired, he can have a rest by leaning to the wall of a house. Mean-
while, none of the riders are allowed to touch him. After the parade, the
best “Wampelers” are celebrated and also those ones, whose shirts are
still white, which means no one was able to throw them to the ground.
The origin of the “Wampeler” remains a secret. The village’s inhabitants
assume that back then, people stuffed their clothes with straw to pro-
tect themselves against injuries, when they went out hunting for bears.
Apparently, also the more “Wampelers” participated in a parade, the bet-
ter the corn grew. Anyway, today this tradition is maintained to drive out
winter. The locals are particularly proud of it – and quite rightly so! It is
an amazing spectacle for everyone who comes to watch.
Social cohesion through tradition
There is a lot going on before the so-called Fat Thursday, which is a
traditional Catholic Christian feast marking the last Thursday before
Lent. Already months before this day, Axams’ local inhabitants start
preparing for it – they make the costumes, build the wagons and even
dress rehearsals take place. All the preparations are carried out to-
gether and represent an essential part of the village life. People sit to-
gether; they work together and celebrate even the smallest successes.
It is customs like these that have a distinctive role in promoting social
cohesion. ||