Folk music in Burgenland: tradition meets international influences

Folk music in Burgenland: tradition meets international influences

At the Alpine Folk Music Competition in Innsbruck, which brought four countries together this year, the music group of the Burgenland Folk Songwerk shone particularly brightly. The group prevailed against over 700 musicians and was honored with a prestigious award for their performance of three characteristic Burgenland folk songs.

The group, consisting of Anna-Maria Hammer, Elisa Heuchler, Hannah Schöck and Florian Scheumbauer, impressed the jury with both their selection of songs and their successful production. The performance was marked by the decision to let the music speak for itself by foregoing sung lyrics.

Diversity of Burgenland folk music

Burgenland has a rich and diverse culture, which is strongly influenced by the historical influences of Hungary and Croatia. This cultural mix is ​​reflected in folk music, in which not only old melodies but also traditional dances and typical costumes play a role. The so-called “Kranzel abtanzen”, a custom that is often seen at weddings, was part of the performance and might be familiar to many people from Burgenland.

The selection of songs included, among other things, a traditional Burgenland waltz, which has a special place in people's hearts. The “Herzenland March,” whose title embodies the history of Burgenland, was also played. Another highlight was the performance of “Kreolka-Polka”, which is reminiscent of the Croatian roots of many Burgenland villages.

The performance was very well received and was recognized not only for the musical quality but also for the cultural depth of the pieces presented. The Burgenland Volksliedwerk, which has been collecting and documenting traditional music since 1927, ensures that this valuable culture is preserved.

In addition to the honor at the awards ceremony, the BVLW-Banda was given the unique opportunity to perform at the gala evening at the Innsbruck Congress. This is seen as a significant step in bringing Burgenland folk music to a wider audience.

For those interested in Burgenland folk music and further details on folk songs, it is worth taking a look www.meinkreis.at, where the collection and history of this music are documented.

A regional competition like this shows how important it is to preserve and maintain regional traditions. Such events not only celebrate the craftsmanship of the artists, but also keep the cultural identity of one of Austria's youngest federal states alive.