Tradition and customs

A cultural commodity of inestimable value

Life all over the world is marked by traditions, customs and rites that offer security and stability in an ever-changing world. Customs and rites underline the identity of a population and bring structure to everyday life. They also help us to cope with crises and are a chance to get together. There are beautiful and harmless rituals and belligerent and aggressive ones, both domestic and regional. Some are celebrated by an entire nation, while others take place on a very small scale in communities or villages.

However, they all have one thing in common: they create a sense of togetherness and connection to the past. Traditions and rites are living history and enable both continuity and change. They impart stability and reliability.

Especially in Salzkammergut, it is important to keep customs alive and preserve them. For tradition is a cultural commodity of inestimable value that builds a bridge between past, present and future generations. As in many other places in the world, the customs in Salzkammergut are based on the annual cycle, which has always determined the history of rural populations. The people here are proud to have such a rich intangible cultural heritage and are aware of their responsibility to carry on and preserve this treasure.

In Salzkammergut, culture comes alive and customs are authentically expressed. At every turn, visitors encounter traditions and places steeped in history, with more stories left to tell. It is no wonder, since the region can look back on more than 8000 years of salt mining in Hallstatt.

Carrying all these traditional customs into the future so that they are not forgotten is of eminent importance for the cultural landscape of Salzkammergut. Because, as the French historian Jean Jaurès said, "Tradition is the passing on of a fire, not the worship of ashes!"