Hailing from Austria Thanksgiving here in America has only been an adult tradition from. Although I don’t have the same childhood memories of family getting together I have been blessed with kind friends who included me and often a few other “orphans” in their own family traditions. I have brought dishes, helped set up, but I have never hosted Thanksgiving myself. So something to put on the calendar for next year perhaps? But this year I will still be heading to a friend’s house for the usual treats. I will be bringing four different Austrian-style salads and caviar. Perhaps not traditional for a good old-fashioned Thanksgiving, but why not?
Speaking of traditions, Austria does have a similar celebration called “Erntedankfest”, loosely translated as “harvest thanksgiving festival”. Also commemorated in Germany and Switzerland, in Austria it takes place on a Sunday during Autumn right after the harvest, generally in October. But compared to the American Thanksgiving it is more a communal event rather than one celebrated at home. Because of Austria’s large farming communities this is a big celebration, which begins in church with a sermon and blessing of selections from the abundance of the harvest and most importantly the harvest crown (“Erntekrone”). This is followed by a procession and the presentation of the crown to the harvest queen (“Erntekönigin”). The harvest crown did not become a status symbol for farmers until the 1930s, and it is bestowed by the church as a reward for the hard work during harvest.
This tradition of giving thanks can coincide with the “Almabtrieb” (literally: drive from the mountain pastures) if the snow in the mountains comes later. The cows return from their high alpine pastures and are led down into the stables in the valley for winter. It may be surprising to know that about 500,000 cows in Austria take this journey every year, compared to 50,000 in Germany. And if there were no accidents during the Sumer the cows travel through towns and villages with elaborate decorations .
After that there is of course lots eating, drinking and dancing, surely similar in spirit to many harvest celebrations around the world. Usually everyone ends up at the “Wirtshaus”, the local pub, for some beer, Schnaps and hearty food. Popular dishes consumed represent the local bounty of Autumn and include pumpkin soup, roast pork, duck, goose, lamb and of course game, which is in season during this time of the year.
I like the communal aspect of the Austrian “Erntedankfest”, which brings people together to share our traditions. But now I am heading out to celebrate the American tradition of gathering family around a big meal.
Cheers,
