The Kirchseeoner Perchten are amazingly agile, given their heavy, wooden masks and thick costumes. They run fast, jump high, dance wildly. All of a sudden they emerge from the darkness, then they are gone again. If the Perchten run through the localities and landscapes of the region, the roadside is usually full of people, so that the field of vision and the freedom of movement of the individual viewer is naturally restricted. So it can happen that the spook is over faster than you can see.
So there is usually no time to study all the gruesome and beautiful masks, the mystical dances, chants and sayings that make the Perchten being something so special. In this respect, it was high time to create a place where you can meet the Perchten in peace. It took a long time from the first idea to implementation. This tradition has been cultivated in Kirchseeon for almost 70 years, and the desire to dedicate a museum to it arose around 14 years ago. But only now is it finished and open to visitors: the mask.
After the Kirchseeoner Perchtenlaufen has already been included in the House of History in Regensburg, the tradition is now finally present in a museum at home. The Maskum gives the district of Ebersberg a unique cultural item with an enormous external impact, because the Kirchseeon Perchten have long been attracting international attention, from Russia to Asia.
Museum director Rainer Eglseder speaks about his mask with pride.
(Photo: Christian Endt)
The mask conveys a lot of knowledge about historical customs – and at the same time arouses deep emotions. No wonder, after all, the Perchten stand for nothing less than happiness and blessings, chaos, death and new life. In this respect, it says here: Information meets ghost trains, and that in an astonishingly limited space. “There are only around 125 square meters of exhibition space, but I guess you can easily spend an hour and a half here,” says museum director Rainer Eglseder, not without pride. Indeed: the makers knew how to use every centimeter, but composed the sheer abundance in such a well thought-out way that one can only marvel at this successful, highly creative museum concept.
Especially thanks to several multimedia stations, the maskum offers a lot of material: info texts, photos, videos, reports, stories, poems and songs. With a touch pen, swipe function and earpiece, the visitor can act independently, select topics and call up in-depth content. In addition, the impressive masks with their imaginative motifs and various symbols – all the senses are addressed.
The Schönperchten symbolize above all the light.
(Photo: Christian Endt)
First of all, there is a lot of history. How did this special custom come to Kirchseeon in the first place? And how did it get a foothold there? Just this much: the decisive man was Hans Reupold Senior. He initiated the first runs, founded the association Perschtenbund Soj and carved countless masks. The second, larger part of the exhibition is devoted to living customs. The room is divided in two by a large, backlit photo. In the center there are life-size figures depicting a Perchten run, dressed in the typical robes and masks.
The Klaubauf bring blessings
“De Scheena”, grouped around a large carillon, lead the procession. The Schönperchten, one learns, symbolize above all the light, the future, the new year and the organizing forces. You set the pace for the dances. Their masks are based on the human face and are decorated with ornaments from various themes such as music (clef or harp), animal world (mussels and snails) or heraldry (coats of arms).
On the other side of the room, “de Schiach’n” have gathered around Frau Percht, a wooden Drudenhax lies on the floor. The “Klaubauf” stand for the dark, the passing and the chaotic energies of life. “They should instill in us due respect for the elements and moving forces of nature, they sing and dance, make noise and do mischief,” says Eglseder. Ultimately, however, the Klaubauf are also the bearers of good wishes and blessings. Their masks are inspired by the local flora and fauna as well as by legendary figures such as werewolf or dragon, there are both healing and scary things.
Almost 70 masks can be seen in the exhibition – all of them well presented.
(Photo: Christian Endt)
The exhibition effectively stages almost 70 masks, they are sorted into groups, each one is named by name. There is, for example, the “Hoizmandl”, whose faces are made from roots, cones or mushrooms. Or the “Schnadernschlenzer”, long mouths who carry snow in collars, steal hats and collect donations. The Schiach’n also include the “Bohrzahn”, a personification of pain, the “Gfrees”, which shows the cycle of eating and being eaten, or the common “Muhackl”.
On the other hand, “Sun King”, “Aries” and “Mirror” walk under the beautiful Perchten. All of the masks are Reupold’s originals that have already served on the street. But the respective figures will not be missing in the next runs, the masks are constantly being re-carved. Visitors to the exhibition can also get a feel for what it feels like to be out and about as a Percht: An “experience station” offers shaggy robes and wooden masks to slip into.
The room-dividing picture can also serve as a canvas for film screenings. A video shows a real Perchten run, in the dark, with torches, drums and shouting. Another explains the symbolism of the dance performed by the Schiach’n around Ms. Percht: It quickly becomes clear that all twists, jumps and bows have a deeper meaning, no matter how wild and impetuous because of the many shaggies. The sayings and chants of the Perchten are hardly understandable during a real run, but you can read some here. “I bi d’Haberngoaß! I sucked wos i woaß. Give ma a Markl or two, otherwise do ia Gschroa, but give ma three – na hoit i s’Mai.”
The Maskum is located in the Kirchseeon Elementary and Middle School, Münchner Straße 19, accessible via a stair tower in the schoolyard (near the B 304). A barrier-free access via elevator is also available. Admission is free, but a small carved head on the door is happy to swallow donations. Opening times from October to January: every Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., December and January: except on public holidays, special opening on January 6th and 7th. Further information: www.maskeum.de.