Carnival in Zams: Mayor is ceremonially dethroned by knights!

Carnival in Zams: Mayor is ceremonially dethroned by knights!

The start of carnival in Zams is an annual spectacle that always delights the residents. At exactly 10 a.m., the mayor is traditionally removed from office by the Knights of Cronbourg and kidnapped to the Zammer Ritterkeller. This amusing tradition always takes place on November 11th, and this year too, when the crazy hustle and bustle opens at 11:11 a.m. with cannon shots.

This year, Vice Mayor Simon Zangerl, who represented Mayor Benedikt Lentsch, took on the role of humble superiority. He has already been in this situation for the last two years. At 10 a.m., the entourage of Count George I and Countess Sonja von der Höhe made their way to the municipal office loudly and with musical accompaniment. Singing and the use of an accordion ensured that the entire community learned about the upcoming festival.

A brilliant reception and the transfer of power

Once arrived, the entourage was warmly greeted with a triple “Houngga Houngga”. Vice Mayor Zangerl had the honorable task of handing over the key to the municipal office and the municipal treasury to the knights. In a humorous tone, Count George I warned: “If there is no money in it, the community representatives will have to go into the dungeon.” In the end it turned out that the cash register wasn't completely full, but the knights were appeased with champagne, beer, donuts and hard liquor.

Accompanied by the celebrations and some cannon shots, the Knights of Cronbourg, including the Vice Mayor Zangerl and the new priest Dr. Wojciech (Adalbert) Galda arrives in the knight's cellar on time. The new priest, originally from Poland, was impressed by the Zammer tradition and brought happy words: “God is happy when we have joy.” This positive atmosphere ran through the entire ceremony.

Here’s to a happy carnival season

The celebratory speeches also included warm words from Marshal Helmut Gstir and Simon Zangerl, who toasted the coming year together with Count George I. George I did not miss the opportunity to give an outlook on next year: “We are already looking forward to the Houngga Houngga in 2026.”

The Knights of Cronbourg and the citizens of Zammer celebrated the start of the carnival in style, which will certainly remain an unforgettable experience for many. This event brings the community together and fills the air with joy and festive spirit, which gives Carnival its special charm. A deeper insight into the tradition of the Zammer carnival and the eventful hours can be found in a report on www.meinkreis.at.