Grape Festival in Merano,
a return to the future
On October 18th and 19th a waltz of music, flavours and joy which, although rooted in 1886,
It does not shy away from the changing times, to also show a young and fresh face.
Tradition can be interpreted without betraying the past and looking at changing times. The Merano Grape Festival (19-20 October) says so, a weekend of waltzes between music, gastronomy and widespread joy. A story that the Merano Tourist Board renews perpetuating the pride of a land and the desire to be in company, with simple and good things.
Flavours
In addition to music, flavors are the protagonists. After all, the harvest is celebrated, and in particular the grape harvest. On the Lungopassirio in front of the Kurhaus, “Sapori in Passeggiata” will be staged on Saturday, while the Promenade dei vini represents various local wineries. Piazza della Rena is a pleasant meeting place with the fascinating Castel Kallmünz and the courtyard animated by the stands of the local Schützen company. For a dive into the local winemaking tradition, there are guided tours – which include the discovery of the city center, walks in the vineyard and tastings – one of these with the “blessing” of Helmuth Köcher, “The WineHunter”, creator and soul of the Merano WineFestival
To register for the Masterclasses: tel. 0473 272000 – www.merano.eu. The WineFestival will also be present at the Grape Festival, and more precisely in the setting of the Merano Market (which for the occasion will be held both Saturday and Sunday), with advance sales for the event of November 8-12 and the serving of selected wines.
Throughout the city, restaurants offer autumnal dishes with both Central European and Mediterranean influences.
And lots and lots of Alpine music – there will be about thirty bands, half from Alto Adige and the others from Trentino, Austria and Germany – some of which are avant-garde, to liven up the rich programme. Strolling, getting lost among the Portici, the Corso and the walks along the river, here is now a concert, a performance of the Goaslschnöller cracking their whips, a dance of the Shoemaker between jumps, pirouettes, and yodeling outbursts.
The Saltner
The Saltner, the guardian of the vineyards, will also wander the streets. In the past, young, single and honest men were hired during the summer, chosen to carry out this work from July 25th – the Feast of St. James – or from the Feast of St. Lawrence on August 10th, until the end of the grape harvest. The Saltner not only had to guard the vineyard day and night, but also protect it from thieves. To be recognizable, he is dressed in an unmistakable way: a leather suit, with gaiters and knickerbockers, and a belt embellished with embroidery around his waist, but above all chains with wild boar and rodent teeth, a hat decorated with peacock and pheasant feathers, and fox tails on both sides. In his hand he carries a halberd.
The Sunday parade
On Sunday, October 19, the event reaches its climax, when floats – those of grapes and apples will be on display to the public in key locations of the event on both days – bands in traditional costume parade through the streets of the center. Among them, musicians of different generations. Back to the future.