Christmas game traditions: This is how Carinthia celebrates the Christnacht!

Christmas game traditions: This is how Carinthia celebrates the Christnacht!

In the tranquil region of Carinthia, a very special tradition has established itself: the performance of the Christmas story in different forms and places. The History Association of Carinthia offers an exciting review of this tradition. Under Joseph II, the scenic representations of the Christmas story were forbidden, which caused the performances to be relocated to private space. As ORF Kärnten , the people in Heiligenblut came back together from 1853 to perform the story in their parlors with curtains and musicians. The villagers were invited to the game with a trombone, and the performances included both rhyming form and Christmas carols.

The shepherd play is a popular element of this tradition and has been kept in many places in Carinthia. Important scenes of the Christmas story come to light, including the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel and the search for a hostel. In the Gmünd region, the play was performed by the school youth for decades, while the performance takes place every ten years in Berg in the Drautal. The connection between traditional play good and modern aspects is kept alive, as Manuela Maier from the History Association found.

Christmas narrative traditions

Christmas is a true Eldorado for storytellers. The time around the festival is shaped by numerous stories that touch and stimulate in all its forms. According to christmas.me there are countless Christmas stories for every age and gender: playful, serious, humorous or thoughtful. These stories are not only ideal for festive gatherings with families and friends, but also a way to reflect on the real meaning of Christmas - charity and community.