Back to the roots: New Year's debt cards for a good cause

Back to the roots: New Year's debt cards for a good cause

An old tradition returns - the "New Year's Sulgerment Card" is experiencing a comeback in Lienz, but this time for a good cause. Richard Kogler, President of the Lienz Rotary Club, explains the historical background of these cards. Introduced in Tyrol about 200 years ago, they originally served to escape the usual New Year's visits and the corresponding social conventions. Municipalities and later also clubs offered these cards for donations, and the proceeds flowed directly into social projects.

"This concept fits perfectly into our time and especially in the contemplative Advent season," continued Kogler. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the club, Rotary Lienz resumes this old tradition and interprets it in a contemporary way. Regional artists are invited to provide their works to make the cards artistically.

artistic design and social Initiative

The first card shows a work by the painter Marlies Wagner, who was born in Irschen. Wagner deepened her artistic skills at the Free Academy of Fine Arts in Carinthia. Her art describes her as a creative process that creates a fascinating puzzle world from chaos and colors.

The proceeds from the sale of these special cards flows into the “Curaplus Family Care” project, which has been offering mobile child nursing in Tyrol and East Tyrol since 2021. The aim is to support families with chronically ill children and to make everyday life easier. The team of qualified nurses helps the parents to ensure the best possible care for their children.

In a limited edition of only 100 cards, these small works of art are offered at a price of 50 euros. Each copy is also hand signed by the artist, which makes the cards something very special. They are available, among others, in the citizens' service of the municipality of Lienz, in the Tyrolia bookstore and in several shops in the region.

With the purchase of this card, people not only have the opportunity to buy themselves from annoying New Year's visits, but at the same time contribute to an important social project that supports families in difficult situations. In this way, an old tradition becomes a new chapter with a noble goal that promotes the connection of the community.