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ItalianoUpdated 28.08.2023
The farewell to the alpine pastures will be celebrated with a big festival in Reith im Alpbachtal on 23 and 30 September 2023. Tyrolean delicacies, handicrafts, music and dance are part of the traditional welcome of the four-legged homecomers.
Reith im Alpbachtal - When the alpine summer comes to an end, people and cattle return to the valley from the mountain pastures. For the Almabtrieb, the cows are given a colourful headdress and the bells they wear around their necks. In the past, the bells were used to drive away evil spirits on the way down to the mountain pastures, so that the herd would reach the valley safely. The Almabtrieb in Reith im Alpbachtal is a special festival that is celebrated every year on two Saturdays (23 and 30 September) and is one of the largest festivals of its kind in Tyrol. The festivities begin at 10 a.m. with the marching band and a concert in the square. From 12 noon the first cows trot through the centre of Reith im Alpbachtal.
Magnificent headdresses and cheerfully ringing bells
The big-bellied beauties thrilled the spectators, as the farmers of Reith decorated their cows with magnificent ribbons, colourful headboards and cheerfully ringing bells. While waiting for the next homecomers, vagabond alphorn blowers, "Goasslschnalzer" and numerous Tyrolean folk music groups provide entertainment. Food stalls with local delicacies are everywhere. At the large farmers' and gourmet market, farmers from the region offer real specialities such as Breitenbach fruit, kiachl, doughnuts or delicacies from grandma's garden. Along the delicacies and craftsmen's street, farmers spoil you with regional specialities.
Regional handicraftsOver40 craftsmen give an insight into their traditional handicrafts. From shingle-making, quill embroidery or almost forgotten crafts such as lace-making and hat-making to soap boiling, you will gain impressive insights into old rural traditions. By the way: even though the festival takes place on two Saturdays, not a single homecomer walks from the alpine pasture into the village twice.
Programme farmers' market with alpine pasture drive and church festival:All day from 10 a.m. to approx. 5 p.m. large farmers' market in the village centreMusic groups on the fairgrounds with folk, dance and entertainment music throughout the village centreAlphorn blowers and Rottach GoaslschnalzerOver 40 old crafts at the large crafts marketTyrolean specialities and home cooking (Kiachl, Krapfen and much more)regional gourmet market
Info at: www.alpbachtal.at/almabtrieb