Huge Samsons conquer the Lungau: Tradition meets enthusiasm!

Huge Samsons conquer the Lungau: Tradition meets enthusiasm!

What could be nicer than dancing through the streets of the lungmaus for traditional music? This custom was lived in full splendor on Sunday at the farmer's autumn festival. The Unternberger Samson, five meters high and proud 75 kilos, swung the leg for the sounds of the traditional music band - and literally! The imposing giant was accompanied by two dwarfs, which caused the necessary momentum.

Like a high -quality wine at the feast, the Samson parades in Lungau are of great importance. The Wöltinger Samson, which is even higher at 6.30 meters and weighs 93 kilos, also impressed the audience. At a recent Samson meeting, the dimensions of the giant figures were precisely measured in order to capture their meaning and size. Such highlights in the region are not only tradition, but also part of our intangible cultural heritage, as SN.AT.

The tradition of Samsonwear

What is actually behind the fascinating customs of Samsonwear? Samson, a figure with long, black hair, is often portrayed as a biblical hero figure. Many Samsons symbolize superhuman forces and could even embody the legendary struggle of the Jews against the Philistines. With up to 1000 defeated enemies, one can speak of an impressive story. The representations are part of a tradition that goes back to the 17th century and is now also on the UNESCO list of the intangible cultural heritage, as Salzburgerland.com.

The Samson figure itself is made of wood or light metal and balanced within a stabilizing scaffold. The young men from the communities have the task of wearing this stately giant, supporting up to four "teasers". This tradition is firmly anchored in the traditional calendar of the region and attracts numerous spectators in the time of Corpus Christi alone.

An important part of the Lungau culture

But the giants should not be missing not only at the farmer's autumn festival. Also during the Lungau Almsommer and in cooperation with the various clubs of the community, be it with traditional costumes or the rural youth, the Samson is a constant companion. These moves not only offer entertainment for the population, but also express folk piety and a renewed feeling of tradition. As reports [unesco.at] (https://www.unesco.at/en/culture/intangible-cultural-heritage/national-inventory/news-1/article/samsongen-in-lungau- Region- and-in-murau, Samson is not only present on many special occasions.

The moves are particularly attractive to festivals such as the pretext day or the Brotherhood Monday. Not only the big Samson figures are used, but also the popular dwarfs, who make up for laughs through their clown skins and attract the audience. The Samson tradition has firmly anchored in the region and is enjoying a steadily growing popularity, according to the saying: "It is a tradition of what people bring together". As you can see, there is a lot about this customs in Lungau!