Yes, that’s correct I wrote Halloween in March! Well, it’s not quite like the Halloween we know in the USA, but it does involve costumes. What am I referring to?
CARNIVAL, MARDI GRAS, FAT TUESDAY! These are the names we associate with the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday when the Christian season of Lent begins. Here in Catholic Austria they call it Faschingsdienstag, ShroveTuesday. This is the final day to live it up and eat lots of meat and sweets before the Lent fasting begins. Lent is a time of reflection for Christians, a time to remember Christ’s 40 days in the wilderness and our own mortality and sins. The day before Lent begins has traditionally been a day to “live life to the fullest”!
In Austria everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE, dresses up in costumes. Even Faywen’s classmates brought her a bowtie and pom pom headband to wear at school. The teachers were all dressed up too. There are dance parties, parades, and carnival like booths all over town, but especially in the two main squares or Platz’s downtown. Several businesses are closed, the schools have a half-day, and everyone goes out to drink and dance! Usually the family activities take place from noon until about 6:00 in the evening and then the older teens through young adults come out.
Liam got to experience Carnival in all it’s evening glory when he and 4 new friends from school went downtown to have a beer and dance in the Hauptplatz! Austrians sure know how to party, but everything is pretty safe when they do. In fact, the police were tipped off that there were a bunch of under-aged teens trying to drink. The police formed a barricade and carded everyone before allowing folks into the Platz. Liam said the line was long to pass through the Platz, but it was very safe and efficient.
Teens can legally drink beer in Austria at age 16. We have always let our children drink wine and beer at home in small amounts. Liam drank only 2 half-pint beers. He’s never been drunk and never plans to be either. All his friends were the same. It was fun listening to his stories about the evening Carnival!
He didn’t take any photos downtown because it was very busy and it would have been just the tops of people’s heads.
Earlier in the day we went to the CityPark mall to get Liam a simple little computer for his classes and the mall was packed with young and old alike in Carnival mood! Little kids in Halloween costumes were dancing,while the older folks sat a floor above, drinking beer, and looking over the railing at the cute kids below!
Camellia's Travel Blog 