Experience has shown that children are the most ardent fans of Perchten, says Rainer Eglseder. In this respect, it is probably high time that the Kirchseeon club also has reading material ready for the little ones. Now that winter is just around the corner, all families can look forward to cozy hours with a little book that illuminates the ancient customs in many facets and in a way that is suitable for children and that offers six “cheerful, enigmatic and exciting short stories”. And the best thing is: “The magic of the Perchten” is to become a whole series, according to the author Eglseder, several stories have already been written for further volumes.
“Each Kirchseeon child grows up – no matter if fearful, curious or courageous – above all full of pride with the Perchten,” says Eglseder. Many even dreamed of later becoming one of these eerily beautiful runners with the magnificent wooden masks. This fascination of young people is also very important to the Perschtenbund Soj, which is why it invests a lot of love and time in teaching its custom in schools, kindergartens or in the masquerade. The effects of this commitment, how anxious admiration can change into courageous enthusiasm, is illustrated by the first story in the new booklet, “Seppi” is waiting for the Perchten” – probably the classic Kirchseeon childhood memory.
In the end, little Seppi dares to put a few coins in Habergoass’s mouth – and is overjoyed.
(Photo: Peter Hinz-Rosin)
But already in the next five chapters it gets a lot more exciting, it’s about a “talking” forest, a wild ride on a moped, an enchanted linden tree, Kuno, the famous carving knife, and a small yellow thread of wool, who would love to be part of a Perchten robe. All these stories have different main characters, but they all revolve around the same topic and are enriched with lots of local color. Especially some older readers will probably remember and have to smile.
But the stories of the place are just one of many sources of inspiration for the author. Rainer Eglseder was born in Kirchseeon, has been a member of the club for 25 years and was an active Perchten runner. Today he is a member of the ensemble of the “Bayerische Rauhnacht” and, mainly, the director of the Maskeum – and as such he has also learned to keep texts about the Perchten really “short and concise”. After all, who wants to read novels in an exhibition? In addition, Eglseder is well versed in all questions relating to customs, his craft and his mysticism, which has already inspired many artists. But some of the ideas for the book also came from his imagination, he says.
Rainer Eglseder manages the Kirchseeoner Maskeum and is accordingly well acquainted with the Perchten custom.
(Photo: Peter Hinz-Rosin)
But Eglseder does not bring “The Magic of the Perchten” to life alone, there are various comrades-in-arms behind him. First and foremost is Monika Rothenaicher, a young illustrator from Ebersberg, whose mini-books “immediately appealed” to the author from Kirchseeon. The book team also includes Dani Komorowski, an editor from Hamburg, the graphic designer Rainer Herrmann from Munich, the photographers Hermann Will from Moosach, Manfred Kornherr from Kirchseeon and Bernhard Leutner from Zorneding, as well as Brigitte Eglseder, who supported her husband editorially and morally is.
It was a pleasure and an honor for the illustrator Monika Rothenaicher to be able to design the children’s book about the Perchten.
(Photo: Peter Hinz-Rosin)
The big message of the booklet is: we can do it together! It doesn’t matter whether it’s running, in the carving room or in the sewing room, several actors always bring Perchten customs to life together. Eglseder also hopes to be able to convey a “slightly different perspective” with his children’s stories: In winter everything gets a little darker, quieter, slower – and isn’t it generally time to shift down a gear? In any case, his stories speak of a great closeness to nature, combined with the advice to “go through life thoughtfully”.
Those who listen to nature and know how to read its signals will surely reach their destination. That is the message of this story.
(Photo: Peter Hinz-Rosin)
Incidentally, the publisher of the collection of stories is the Perschten Foundation Kirchseeon, which has already published four high-quality books for adults. Everyone involved in “The Magic of Perchten” volunteered, emphasizes Eglseder, and the entire proceeds go to the foundation. The booklet costs 12.90 euros and is available in the Maskum in Kirchseeon, which also has a Online shop offers, or in bookstores (ISBN: 978-3-9812560-2-4).