Finally sparking again - tradition and customs

The Funkenbrennen is a very special event for the members of the Funkenzünfte in the Montafon. Every year, everyone in the region looks forward to this unique spectacle of Vorarlberg folk culture.

High up

Most of the sparks in the Montafon reach up to 30 meters. The spark guilds often put over 700 hours of work into the wooden sticks, which can be square, hexagonal or octagonal. The sparks are then filled with old Christmas trees, straw and brushwood. The sparkler fir is then mounted on the top, to which the sparkler witch is attached. This witch, a doll filled with gunpowder and often dressed in rags, is supposed to drive out winter with her explosion and welcome the approaching spring.

It all starts at sunset

When darkness falls on Sunday evening, the sparks are lit and the spectacle begins. Accompanied by music, the audience marvels at the burning wooden tower. In addition, brave spectators wave flaming torches and in Tschagguns there is even a giant torch wheel, which makes for breathtaking scenes. If the spark collapses before the spark witch can explode, it is said to bring bad luck. If this happens, the spark guild buries the witch a week later in a special ceremony.

in 2022, the big Funken celebrations unfortunately had to be canceled due to the coronavirus situation. Martin Mangeng from Vandans came up with an idea so that the people of Montafon didn't have to do without their favorite custom completely. Together with an Iranian refugee couple, he built 80 cm high mini sparks and brought a lot of joy to the region. This year, the original, large spark towers will be burnt down again. You can be there in Bartholomäberg and Gantschier on the Sunday after carnival.

The Montafon - a region full of customs

It's not just the burning of sparks that is celebrated in the Montafon during this time. In Gortipohl, a custom known as "Scheibenschlagen" is even a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage site. This involves throwing glowing wooden discs through the air. There is also a delicious custom that should not be missed on Funken Sunday, the "Funkenküchlein". These little cakes baked in hot fat are a specialty of the region, which we of course also serve at the Fernblick.

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Photos: Montafon_Tourismus GmbH