Vorarlberg says Funken: Higher risk of forest fire ensures chaos!

Vorarlberg says Funken: Higher risk of forest fire ensures chaos!

The Vorarlberg state government raises the alarm! In view of the current risk of forest fires, it is urgently called on to do without any fire in nature or to deal with it extremely carefully. According to reports, several sparks have already reacted and events have canceled. In Frastanz-Amerlügen and Latschau, the traditional celebrations that attract many people during this time of year were finally canceled due to the increased risks caused by the adjacent forests, as the Vorarlberger Nachrichten reported.

The custom of the spark burning, which represents a centuries -old tradition in Vorarlberg and brings people together, is now under a bad star. Although a reduction in the highest size of the sparks by about five meters was reduced in some municipalities, as in the Montafon, the decision about the implementation up to the last minute due to the weather conditions and in coordination with the emergency services remains uncertain. Numerous events were also canceled in Liechtenstein, such as the fire in Schaan and Balzers. The uncertainty about security has given the traditional festivities a dark note.

fascination and tradition of the spark burn

The spark, often with artistically layered wooden stacks up to 30 meters high, usually takes place on the Spark Sunday after Ash Wednesday and is accompanied by festivities in which "Funkaküachle" are served. The tension reaches its peak when the spark witch flies into the air at the top of the tower, a symbol that is increasingly criticized. Before International Women's Day, the Vorarlberg Women's Museum not only called for a waiver of this figure, but also pointed out that only five percent of the sparks were burned without witch last year. Any changes that could modernize customs are therefore within sight.

But celebrating in the Montafon also goes beyond. There is an additional tradition that was practiced in the UNESCO directory of the intangible heritage in 2016. Old lanterns are also used in Bürs, which have been produced by a family for generations and illuminate the night. This tradition is now in the shadow of the risk of forest fire. The situation remains tense and the decision -makers must carefully weigh on how to deal with the traditions and the security risks.

This remains to be seen whether and how well the tradition of sparking celebrations can be maintained this year, while at the same time the focus of the safety of people must be the focus.

As reported, the spark guild in the affected areas either deleted their events or reduced greatly to minimize the risk of forest fires, which also has an impact on further celebrations in the region ( Kleinezeitung.at ).

The sparking burn itself, however, remains an essential part of the region's cultural identity, and the question of how tradition continues is currently in the room. The regional celebrations are still carried out, and people remain in the hope that tradition will remain alive despite the challenges ( Vorarlberg.travel ).