Pinzgau in nativity scene fever – salzburg.ORF.at
lifestyle
Advent is the high season for cribs. Nativity set construction associations are enjoying increasing popularity: there are 13 crib construction associations nationwide with around 870 members – and the trend is rising. A stronghold is the Pinzgau.
Christmas cribs are small, lovingly designed works of art, built from roots and pieces of wood, decorated with treasures from nature. The Pinzgau is known as a crib stronghold – in Bruck an der Glocknerstraße the majority of the cribs have been completed. Some of the final decorations and details are still being worked on: brooms, scythes and pitchforks are still being lovingly placed in front of the Heustadl, or a bench is still being adjusted.
Bruck an der Glocknerstraße has had crib fever in recent weeks and is proud of the craftsmanship: our cribs are very detailed. We process a lot of natural botany and old wood,” says the chairman of the crèche association, Sigi Maßer.
Crib material is collected on hikes
The members collect the handicraft utensils such as fruit, moss and twigs during summer hikes; the wood often comes from local farmers. A sure instinct is required when processing. Katharina Griessner has been tinkering with a lantern crib since September: “It was a challenge, the beginning with the stone wall was the hardest for me. You have to learn everything from scratch and you have the best teachers here. The crèche will now have a special place in my new apartment,” says the Pinzgau native happily.
Average 50 working hours for crèche
The Pinzgau cribs are designed in an Alpine or Oriental style – with sponges or roots. Joseph, Maria and the baby Jesus find refuge in very different cribs in Bruck. The course participants invest around 50 working hours in the small works of art. The crib construction association in Bruck has existed for 20 years. Beginners as well as advanced learners meet at the annual nativity scene building courses. The youngest cribs will be exhibited at the crib exhibition next weekend in the vicarage in Bruck.