The specific benefit is clear: from now on, the Kirchseeoner Perchten may use a highly official logo that identifies them as Bavaria’s intangible cultural heritage. It’s nothing more. There is no money or any other support. And yet you can’t rate this award highly enough: The Perchten are now part of a list of 66 top-class forms of cultural expression in Bavaria, putting them on an equal footing with the “Landshut Wedding”, the Munich Viktualienmarkt or the Oberammergau Passion Play.
A museum plus living customs in front of the door – where else do you find that?
So it’s no wonder that the Kirchseeoner Perchten, local historians and local politicians are all over the moon with joy and pride at the press event about the award, which is unique in the Ebersberg district. A museum plus living customs in front of the door – where else do you find that? It is also clear that the complex application process for the Perchten was one thing above all: a large-scale self-reflection. What sets us apart? Where are we from? And where are we going? Even such an analysis can do no harm in good time.
Is now intangible cultural heritage: The Perchten Run in Kirchseeon. The new logo is proudly presented at the press conference in the Maskeum.
(Photo: Peter Hinz-Rosin)
But what does “intangible cultural heritage” (IKE) actually mean? According to a UNESCO convention, it is about cultural forms of expression that are alive, supported by a community, create identity, encompass specific knowledge and skills and are passed on from generation to generation. These include oral traditions, performing arts, social customs, rituals and festivals, and traditional craft techniques. Every two years there is an opportunity to submit an application for inclusion in the IKE directory. The selection is made by an independent commission of experts. The current round of applications was the fifth, and ten cultural forms of expression were selected for the Bavarian list from around two dozen applicants.
The complex application process could only be managed as a team
The fact that the Perchten were among the candidates at all is due to coincidence: a little over a year ago, the club’s chairman, Wolfgang Übelacker, came across an information flyer about the IKE. It quickly became clear that this would be “a great thing” for the people in Kirchseeon – but the application process would be anything but easy. “None of us are university graduates, so we knew that we could only do this as a team,” explains Rainer Eglseder, director of the Perchten Museum.
The IKE application team made up of Florian Mayer, Ernst Weeber, Wolfgang Übelacker and Rainer Eglseder (from left).
(Photo: Peter Hinz-Rosin)
So he and Ubelacker bring two more supporters on board, Ernst Weeber and Florian Mayer. Together you work your way through the application form, which consists of 13 questions, some with numerous sub-items, including some topics that are quite challenging. In a critical reflection on the history of the respective cultural form, for example, National Socialism or references to topics such as colonialism, war, migration and the like should also be addressed. Aspects of “social, economic and ecological sustainability” are also queried. The length of the answers must be within a specified range. Ten photos – plus optional video material – as well as two external expertises are also required.
In the end, almost a year later, the application team has reached its twelfth version of the form: 14 pages that provide a comprehensive and deep insight into the Perchten customs of Kirchseeon. Regional home caretakers Sepp Huber and Bernhard Schäfer, head of the historical association for the district of Ebersberg, contribute well-founded expertise. According to Eglseder, however, “almost took the wrong turn” when it came to selecting the photos: only after asking it turned out that no glossy material was desired, but rather “very simple pictures” that convey the essence and message of the tradition: the winter Perchten procession with an audience . That’s why they didn’t submit a professional BR report, but shot a video of a normal evening of practice in civilian clothes.
Until the bathroom shakes: This is what it looks like when the Perchten drummers practice their pieces in civilian clothes at the musicians’ evening.
(Photo: Peter Hinz-Rosin)
Actually, the Kirchseeon Perchten Runs are a comparatively young tradition – even if some families are already in the fourth generation, as Übelacker proudly explains. However, these rituals are not actually native to the market community, and were only taken up in the 1950s. Forest workers who had moved there had made the Alpine Perchten known to the population with their stories, “Perchtenvater” Hans Reupold also got inspiration from existing clubs in Switzerland and Austria – and finally initiated the first run in 1954. Actually, they wanted to meet at the Schützenheim back then, says Ubelacker, but that was already booked that evening. “So you went out into the darkness with torches.”
The Perchten custom is not native to Kirchseeon, but is given a lively new interpretation here
For Ernst Weeber, this is exactly a reason to be particularly proud of the entry in the IKE directory: “It is recognition that we keep a new interpretation of various traditions alive, quite freely, in the Kirchseeon way.” In other words: you want to maintain the historical references, but develop them further with new masks, dances, songs and sayings. So it’s no wonder that the Perchten constantly inspire other artists such as photographers, painters, sculptors and musicians.
The IKE committee has assigned the Perchten to three categories: the performing arts, customs, rituals and festivals, and traditional handicraft techniques. Sure, because this cultural form of expression is extremely diverse. It’s about practical skills such as special dances or songs, about craftsmanship in relation to the wooden masks and robes, but also about the knowledge of symbolism and historical backgrounds. That’s why the Perchten are by no means only active in winter, but all year round. Anyone can actually take part: the club has not been a men’s association since the 1970s, and there are hardly any restrictions at all. Even people with disabilities take part in the runs again and again, says Weeber. “Some of them even carved their own masks.”
Herbert Schafbauer carves most of the masks of the Kirchseeoner Perchten. He still learned from Hans Reupold.
(Photo: Peter Hinz-Rosin)
The tradition is supported by three pillars: the Perschtenbund Soj, which is responsible for the performances, a foundation dedicated to preserving the masks and imparting knowledge, and the “Maskeum” as a depot and place of learning. For the active ones, the “fun of creative interaction” is in the foreground and the interpretation of the Perchten as lucky charms. According to Weeber, esoteric or even ethnic-Germanic ideas are firmly rejected. Kirchseeon also wants to beware of a violent image: “One should have respect for the Perchten, but not fear.” Weeber also finds the modern, ecological interpretation of events fascinating. “After all, this is about the cycle of life, and Ms. Percht can also be understood as Mother Earth.”
Mrs. Percht is the central figure in the run.
(Photo: Christian Endt)
The Perchten are deeply rooted in Kirchseeon and the surrounding area, and their customs are an important source of identity. “Here, the children don’t look forward to St. Nicholas, but to Perchten,” says Ubelacker. Accordingly, the club has no worries about young talent, on the contrary, there is a waiting list. District home caretaker Sepp Huber from Steinhöring also knows how to eloquently report on this fascination. Even as a small boy he was deeply impressed by the music and the masks of the Perchten. “It just makes your heart soar!” In addition, it is very unusual to find such an alpine tradition in the flat country. His colleague Thomas Warg from Ebersberg even goes one better when it comes to praise: The list of intangible cultural heritage can be happy and proud to be able to include the Kirchseeoner Perchten, as they more than met all the requirements for it.
In Kirchseeon the children are not waiting for St. Nicholas, but for Perchten.
(Photo: Peter Hinz-Rosin)
Mayor Jan Paeplow promises to continue to support the Perchten in the future, and the design of the site should also refer to the special customs. “This is an obligation of our market.” District Administrator Robert Niedergesäß also congratulates and describes the inclusion in the IKE list as a “strong distinction for strong commitment”.
“Despite Corona, Percht is not idle”
For the Perchten themselves, it is above all an incentive to “worthily continue” their mystical customs, to continue to meet the quality requirements they have set themselves. New goals have already been set: more cooperation, increasing media value, attracting more visitors to the Maskeum. Yes, as Paeplow says so beautifully? “Despite Corona, Percht is not idle.” After the opening of the Maskeum and the admission to the House of Bavarian History in Regensburg, the designation as an intangible cultural heritage is the third bang in a very short time.
But what is also important for Eglseder and his team is to motivate other cultural initiatives in the district to also try to apply for the IKE directory. “Now we know how it’s done!”