!!!Aperschnalzen

Aperschnalzen (aper = free of snow), tradition involving the rhythmic 
snapping and cracking of a whip up to 4 m in length (called 
"Goassl" in dialect); takes place at the end of January and early 
February every 3rd year on a predetermined date in a town in the 
Flachgau region of the province of Salzburg and in between in the 
neighbouring Bavarian Rupertiwinkel region. The whip-cracking is 
performed in small groups ("Passen") of 9 members each; 60-70 of these 
groups usually take part in the "Schnalzen" competitions (first 
carried out in 1936 in Maxglan) as well as in public performances at 
traditional costume festivals or other public events (e.g. the opening 
ceremony of the Olympic Games in 1972). The tradition of Aperschnalzen 
was revived at the beginning of the 20th century and is now organised 
and performed by the "Rupertiwinkel" association (founded in 1957 in 
Saaldorf near Freilassing) of Bavaria and Salzburg. Earlier 
interpretations which go beyond the athletic and demonstrative 
function of this tradition to imply a religious noise-making custom 
("Winteraustreiben", driving off the winter) are unconfirmed. 
Introduced by traditional costume and culture clubs in Linz in 1925 
after the Bavarian model.

!Further reading
E. Mueller, Der Brauch des Aperschnalzen, in: 
Salzburg. Volkskultur 15, 1991.


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