Just in time for the end of the festive service, when the first visitors stream out of the Mariendom onto the forecourt, the drizzle stops. The cloud cover breaks up, sunlight falls on the polished instruments of the members of the Lacken Music Association. First they play a serenade, then the pageant starts moving. Led by the thanksgiving crown carried by four young men, the procession proceeds towards the main square to the pounding of drums.
With the largest harvest festival in the federal state, the rural youth of Upper Austria celebrated their 70th anniversary on Sunday in Linz – strictly speaking, the 71st year due to a corona-related postponement. And the youth association proved what the combined strengths of the 226 Upper Austrian local groups with a total of 22,500 members aged 15 to 35 can achieve. The event of a similar magnitude was last held 31 years ago.
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OÖN photographer was there with the camera at the country’s largest harvest festival.
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110 booths on three squares
Tents and stalls have been growing on the main square, the cathedral square and the parish square since Thursday. On the day of the festival, Linz’s city center finally turned into a large market. “We wanted to show the diversity that rural areas and agriculture in particular have to offer,” said Marlene Federlehner. She is a member of the state board and was part of the organizational leadership. “We have planned a total of almost two years. When we had to cancel in 2021 due to the uncertain situation, it was clear: we’ll catch up,” she says.
110 stands offered thousands of visitors a wide range of products. Farmers and restaurateurs sold delicacies – from farmer’s donuts to potato curls and hamburgers. Artisans from all over Austria offered their wares for sale. Brass bands, Schuhplattler musicians and singers put on a varied program on three stages. The rural youth also pursued their central task of imparting knowledge at the Thanksgiving market: Clubs and associations provided information about current developments in agriculture at “knowledge stands”.
Episcopal Worship
Not all local groups were represented at the market with their own stand or program item. A good part of the visitors, however, made up the rural youth colleagues who had traveled to Linz from all over Upper Austria. Christina Meingassner and Selina Leithinger came from Vorchdorf. “We want to see what’s out there. And taste ourselves a bit,” says Leithinger.
The festive service in the Mariendom, held by Bishop Manfred Scheuer of Linz, marked the start of the celebrations. Among the guests were Minister of Agriculture Michaela Langer Weninger and Secretary of State for Youth Claudia Plakolm (both VP). President of the Chamber of Agriculture Franz Waldenberger and LK Director Karl Dietachmair also took part in the celebrations.
Source: Nachrichten
