Three days of state of emergency in Ebensee: The inner Salzkammergut, i.e. the “tenth federal state”, celebrates carnival. The normal parade took place on Sunday, followed by the famous ragged parade on Monday. “It is intangible cultural heritage and our identity,” says Mayor Sabine Promberger.
“What’s normal in the three days? We fall out of character all year round, this is just the highlight. Three days of state of emergency, actually it’s almost two weeks of setup and dismantling. We are doing everything we can to ensure that we continue to be one of the carnival strongholds throughout Austria in the future. We are the inner Salzkammergut, i.e. the tenth federal state.” The atmosphere was sensational despite the constant rain: Ebensee is in carnival fever! “When the weather is nice, around 15,000 spectators come to us. And Monday is the most important day of the year for us,” laughs Hannes Scheck Jr. The president of the carnival committee only had three hours of sleep. As much as probably every other Ebenseer. “Intangible cultural heritage” “Happy holidays are wished here on Friday after work hours,” explains Sabine Promberger. The mayor didn’t go to bed until half past four in the morning, but her wife is still there. “Fetzmontag is an intangible cultural heritage, and carnival is identity for us,” said the mayor, who is invited by a participant for a schnapps every few minutes. Prince couple as Fred and WilmaThe prince couple, who were still masked as Fred and Wilma Feuerstein during the normal parade on Sunday, will be out and about in their official role on Monday. “We have to be present at all the balls, give speeches, have a lot of effort and a lot of appointments, little sleep and therefore alcohol,” says Thomas Loidl with a wink. The grand finale is on Monday. “The scraps are burned and the wallets are washed because after that time nobody has any money left anyway,” laughs Sarah Neuböck. Persiflage of the powder danceAnd what shouldn’t be missing from a carnival parade in the Salzkammergut? Eh, sure. The powder dance. Or better said: “Da Puhdahtanz.” Although the 25 ladies in the washing machine were much funnier. “We are an all-female group. “You just need the men to pull,” joked Annemarie Raberger. And Mayor Sabine Promberger added: “Now I’m happy when Lent begins.”
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