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Category Archives: Cultural Heritage
The Chienbäse Fire Parade in Liestal, Switzerland, 2-2018
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The Ulm Christmas Market, Ulm, Germany, 12-2017
Towering Gothic spires of the Ulm Minister reached 530 feet into the sky and a nativity scene featuring live animals decorated the entrance to the impressive church dating to 1377. I had convinced Franz to join me on this very cold day to embrace the upcoming holidays along with one million other tourists that visit the famous 2017 Ulmer Weihnachtsmarkt in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The festive Christmas Market was bustling with visitors imbibing both the spirit of the season and the mulled Glühwein spirits as well as enjoying the wooden stalls displaying their wares as they had for many Christmases of yore.
The Nativity Museum Dornbirn, Austria, 11-2017
The baby Jesus lay nestled in the center of the boat carved out of exotic wood as an angel with prominent wings watches over the sleeping child. Mary and Joseph accompanied by the wise men peer over the sides of the vessel to admire the newborn baby swaddled in the floating manger. The carved figures display African features and their facial and body language all relay wonderment at the monumental event that has occurred. The Christian nativity scene is recreated throughout the Créche Museum in Dornbirn, Austria, but what makes this collection unique is that it features créches from around the world bringing in differing cultural interpretations and materials to each display ranging from the traditional to the modern. The museum offers people of all faiths an artistic view into the birth of Christ in these beautiful portrayals of the reason for the Christmas season.
Liechtenstein Art Museum, Vaduz, Liechtenstein, 11-2017
What to do on a cold rainy day? Chores can always wait. A visit to the Liechtenstein Art Museum in Vaduz, Liechtenstein had been on the list for quite a while and the exhibition Weaving the World by Kim Kimsooja was right up my alley. And the exhibition did not disappoint. The artist who works out of both New York and Seoul used the theme of thread that is woven throughout her work to express the energy emanating from her body to the needle. The energy generated is then released into her performance installations of video, photos, and sculptural work. My favorite was the film piece Thread Routes that traced the native cultural and textile traditions around the world combining both agricultural and natural elements into the work as well. It was an afternoon spent in the company of this jewel of a museum that packs a powerful artistic punch into the Upper Rhine Valley.
https://www.kunstmuseum.li/?page=20&aid=449&lan=en
On the Trail of Neanderthals Vogelherd, Germany, 11-2017
Neanderthals have gotten a bad rap in the popular press. Portrayed as a primitive man clad in pelts lugging a club and dragging his woman by the hair is an image that many still conjure up. But Neanderthals are only beginning to get the respect that they deserve. I am a big fan and unabashedly fascinated by them. And that is why on an unusually cold day I cajoled my husband to drive many hours to Stetten, Germany to visit the Archaeopark Vogelherd that is one of the latest additions to the UNESCO World Heritage Listing in the Swabian Alb in Baden-Wurttemberg. These six newly inscribed cave sites have been inhabited for 100,000 years and approximately 43,000 years ago during the last ice age Neanderthal man was carving exquisite “animal figurines, musical instruments, and items of personal adornment.” These objects are of such intricate beauty that they alone would dispel the myths of the “primitive cave man.” It was in these caves were found the oldest pieces of figurative art in the world recovered thus far dating from the Aurignacian period. The artwork was carved out of mammoth ivory including a leaping cave lion, a cave bear, and an intriguing man beast.
The Archaeopark Vogelherd site is not only a museum but an interactive outdoor Stone Age hands on exhibition where the visitors can go back in time and experience what life was like during this early period of man’s evolution. We happened to visit late in the season and the park had already closed but it had opened for a special family day and we were the only group in the park. We were treated to an informative tour with a knowledgeable guide who lead us through the entire park where we were able to throw spears, dress in ice age pelt clothing, and build a fire in a tented dwelling. Franz even played a tune on a swan flute from the long ago era. And of course the highlight of what we came to see was the exhibition on the premises of the cave lion and the cave bear sculptures. What a blast into the ice age past.
http://www.ice-age-europe.eu/visit-us/network-members/archaeopark-vogelherd.html
Autumn in Wangen, Germany, 10-2017
Dramatic Diedamskopf, Vorarlberg, Austria, 9-2017
The cool autumn air held a promise of some afternoon warmth as the cable car ascended the 2000m Diedamskopf mountain in Schoppernau, Austria. Franz and I had come to enjoy the impressive scenery of the neighboring peaks and catch the waning days of the hiking season. Despite the chilly temperatures we enjoyed a local brass band with our lunch and the temperature did somewhat warm up. The panoramic views were stunning, the music did not disappoint, and our day could not have been better.
https://translate.google.at/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.diedamskopf.at/&prev=search
The Great Donkey Meeting Wolfegg, Germany, 9-2017
Donkey, donkeys and more donkeys. And this is what the hoards of fans had come to see. I had no idea there were so many aficionados and I was surprised at the crowd size that these long eared mammals had brought out to the great donkey meeting in Wolfegg, Germany. Earlier in the week I had spotted a sign on the side of the road announcing a Grosses Esel Treffen and it had perked my curiosity. So the next Saturday Franz and I drove to the Bauernhaus Museum in the Allgäu-Oberschwaben to enjoy a day with the donkeys and mules. Donkeys of all shapes, sizes, colors, and personalities along with their proud owners attended the weekend show of friendly competition including obstacle course racing and other gymkhana events. The highlight of the show was the much anticipated male and female beauty contests. Who would be Germany’s next top Equidae? We even got to see the largest donkey in the world, the shaggy Poitou with their distinctive cananette coat that hangs in matted long cords resembling dreadlocks. This extraordinary animal the French had bred for war and they were prized for their strength and stamina yet lauded for their docile and friendly manner. Amid the loud braying and obstinate behavior it was a dandy day doting on dear donkeys.
https://www.bauernhausmuseum-wolfegg.de/veranstaltungen/eseltreffen.php
https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/about-donkeys/poitou
Cow Parade And Swift Swines Urnäsch, Switzerland, 9-2017
The level of noise rose as the spectators anticipated the beginning of the big race at the Autumn Farmers Market in Urnäsch, Switzerland. Earlier many of us had scoped out the competition weighing the heft, girth, leg length, energy level, and the general overall health of the racing animals before we placed our bets on our chosen winner. Our fleet footed pick was the lively #3. The gates opened and out waddled the portly porkers to navigate the (easy) obstacle course. The good natured crowd urged on the swift swines who jumped (really stepped) over two separate obstacles in the short course. I had placed myself at the strategic bottleneck of the track that was to determine the outcome of the race. We laughed and urged on all of the sweet sows and hulky hogs. And to top off the rapid race our #3 pig won! Bravo to Switzerlands swift swines!
https://www.myswitzerland.com/en/urnaesch-alpine-procession.html
She was a vision of loveliness. Her large brown eyes graced with long lashes contrasted with her strong legs and slender ankles. But she was just one of the many bovine beauties we had come to admire. Franz and I had travelled to the Alpabfahrt & Farmers Market in Urnäsch, Switzerland to welcome home the cows and white goats from the high alpine pastures after a summer of producing milk to make the delicious cheese the region is known for. Farmers in their traditional dress led their herds through town amid the clanging cow bells and a brass band playing. The market had a festival atmosphere with various booths displaying regional specialities such as mountain cheeses, cakes, soaps, ceramics and other local delights. For lunch we enjoyed sharp raclette and a dumpling dish called schupfnudeln. What a way to celebrate the coming of the plentiful fall season.
https://www.myswitzerland.com/en/alpine-ascent-and-descent-of-the-cattle.html