Schemenlaufen - historical

A look back in time – the Fasnacht in Imst from a historic point of view

There are close to no records to the beginnings of the Fasnacht – in 1597, however, “Mummereyen” (Costumes and masks) were forbidden across the country, since the apparently already implemented date collided with a Christian holiday. This, as well as plagues and the looming danger of the Turks were reasonings for the prohibition of carnivals. There are multiple sources citing Imst as being affected by these jurisdictions. Not only the secular, but also the ecclesiastical authorities made it their mission to restrict, or even fully prohibit the Fasnacht in Imst.

Abraham a Santa Clara

The processions were taken up again in the 17^th century, as long as they happened within certain regulations and in an orderly manner. In his 1842 novel “Der Vogelhändler von Imst” (The bird-trader of Imst), author Carl Spindler cites the magniloquent Abraham a Santa Clara. Said man supposedly declared that the people of Imst should be allowed to celebrate the Fasnacht once a year, since the rich and mighty in this world would constantly wear a mask to face the world. However, the preacher in him gets to have the last word as he states: ”das Schemenlaufen soll nicht ein Schelmenlaufen seyn (…) ansonst in den Kotter mit euch Tabacksbrüdern und Weinzapfen!“ 

In the Age of Enlightenment (18^th cent.), when the people wanted everything to be organized in (supposed) reason, the ruling authorities had no understanding for such obsolete and backwards traditions such as the Fasnacht. A legal proceeding in Pfunds is a testimony as to how far the citizens of Imst went to oppose these jurisdictions – a number of young men were arrested on account of walking through the village in masks and costumes, contrary to what the prohibition states. Their justification was the fact that they had heard rumors of other towns, including Imst, were carrying out similar processions. There is no doubt that the great fire of 1822 has not only destroyed many costumes and masks, but also important records and documents of the tradition.

Prohibited or not?

During the 19^th century – which is seen as a crucial period concerning the further existence of the Fasnacht – the discussion of prohibition seemed to never come to an end; records and strict formal applications were exchanged between Imst, Innsbruck and Brixen (the former Bishop’s see). Essential in these trials was the word of Dean Schweighofer (he himself was born in Imst), proving that there had never been any excessive celebrations during the carnivals.

First reports

In the middle of the 19^th century, Carl von Lutterotti was employed as a civil servant of Imst. It is this man and his passionate interest for Culture that are to thank for the first depictions of the Fasnacht: two sketches as well as their aquarelle counterparts. The rite was now also being mentioned in literature, for example in Beda Weber (1837), and early Tyrolean newspapers (first in the “Innsbrucker Tagblatt” in 1855, and more frequently after that). These scriptures are to be approached with sceptic undertones, however, since they are mostly written by foreign authors, not knowledgeable on the topic.

Authorities intervene

The first photographs depicting the Fasnacht must have been taken around 1890. Interesting recordings of council meetings in 1908 were preserved, which demanded the procession only to take place under the following conditions: the restriction to the hours between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.; a committee has to regulate the procession; drunks are to be excluded; Spritzer and Kübelemaje (who, at this time still had water in their “Kübele”) are not allowed to excessively splash the spectators; to treat the spectators in a civil manner etc.. In 1911, the Fasnacht had already been mentioned in a tourist guide – a complete pamphlet dedicated solely to the carnival was released in 1914.

Times of war

WWI demanded a long interruption, the next Fasnacht took place in 1922 – coined by the challenging times after the war. It was encouraged by the committee, for example, to give out the pretzels to the people who suffered the most after the war. The Fasnacht greatly profited of the implementation of Thomas Walch, a renowned and dedicated artist, as the leading role in the committee. He is to thank for many great ideas and concepts which he executed himself – an example for this would be a poster he designed, which was in use for multiple processes.

1933 was the first time the Fasnacht took place on a Sunday. The critical economic situation and high unemployment rate made it impossible during the week. 1938 – Austria’s independency was nearing its end – the citizens of Imst peacefully carried out the Fasnacht one last time before long years of war once again interrupted the cycle. The idea to host another procession in 1939, as a ‘thank you’ to the ‘Führer’ (Hitler) was quickly discarded due to the passive resistance of the town’s inhabitants.

Glamorous

In the year of 1949, it was finally possible for the Fasnacht to take place again, with great support by the French occupiers. Same as in 1918, the crushing poverty forced the authorities to a myriad of improvisations and fundraisers in order to acquire the material needed. However, necessity knows no laws, and the Fasnacht was successfully carried out on February 20^th, with over 30.000 spectators! Not even the absence of the Dutch queen Juliane could dampen the town’s spirits – prince Bernhard and Princesses Beatrix and Irene were able to make it, after all. In 1952, the legendary Franz Treffner sen. debuted the infamous “Fasnachtsmarsch”. To this day, the iconic march is regarded as the anthem of the tradition. Ever since the heavy rain during a Fasnacht in 1957, it is a custom to donate to the poor souls in the local Capuchin Church. 

Rejection

In the 60s and 70s, the terms in which a carnival is allowed to be carried out, grew stricter and stricter and demanded much more efforts within the committee. The media attention grew as well, with even television playing a focal role now. While in 1955 some of the participants had still contributed to the film “The Gamma People”, similar demands were now explicitly declined. Neither that, nor was a delegation sent to the Olympic Games in Innsbruck. In 1981, the Fasnacht was broadcast on live television – a remarkable achievement. Two years later, justly praised committee leader of many years, Josef Zangerle released the first official book about the Fasnacht. In the following years, the tradition reached dimensions which had been previously deemed impossible.

A home for the Fasnacht

1998 was the opening year of the “Imster Fasnachtshaus”, and the archive was implemented in the year after. In 2001, the museum was opened to the public. Influenced by newly emerging carnivals everywhere, towns valuing tradition are now working together more closely than ever, organizing a multitude of multimedia exhibitions all across Austria and abroad. The current issues being tackled are the steady growth of participants, the technological advancements seemingly taking over, the increasing difficulty of gathering the needed materials etc.. This can all be managed in an orderly manner, though. Priority is keeping the tradition of the Fasnacht alive – and it will remain that way!