A bit of northern Italian culture...

[hukari]

I live in the Alps in the German-speaking part of Italy. It was part of Austria until it was ceded to Italy after the first World War. It was granted autonomy after long negotiations with the Italian government and thus the majority of the inhabitants are again allowed to speak their native tongue, German.

One of the traditions of the area is that the local brass band marches through the village at the last of the year (the 30th this year) and plays at various places to ring out the old year. People set up stands to supply them with food and drink along the way. By the end of the day some have had more drink than is good for them.:(

My son marched with them for the first time in their historic costume and I thought you might enjoy a few of the pictures I took.

http://img46.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mattretouchedwebfw0.jpg
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/1317/musikkapellewa2.th.jpg

[Juergen D]

By the end of the day some have had more drink than is good for them.:(
Reka,

I'm sure this is hard work for them. :) ...and they are appropriately rewarded. Sounds like fun.
This link gets the second picture in full size:
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/1317/musikkapellewa2.jpg

Juergen

[LeeOtsubo]

I live in the Alps in the German-speaking part of Italy. It was part of Austria until it was ceded to Italy after the first World War. It was granted autonomy after long negotiations with the Italian government and thus the majority of the inhabitants are again allowed to speak their native tongue, German.

Nice photos. Are you in the Dolomites? A friend just bought a home in Lucca, best known as the home of Mario Cippolini, The Lion King, and has invited us to visit. We want to go during the Giro and, of course, any visit to the Giro must include stages through the Dolomites.

[CarolLHB]

Reka-thanks for sharing those photos-they are great-

[Tom K]

Reka,
What a delightful custom, I like the part about celebrating all day. Your
son looks like a fine young man, looked for him in the group photo but
could not locate him. The town seems to be out of 'The sound of music'
Happy New Year, Tom :)

[apasskey]

Hi Reka - Thanks for sharing!! What fun. Where are you in Italy? Happy New Year. Andie

[kroberts]

Reka,

What a great tradition! Thanks for sharing your photos with us.:)

[karen donnybrook]

Reka,

Wonderful image of your very handsome son. The group photo really shows off the town buildings and like Tom says, reminds me of the Sound of Music.

Karen :)

[kevq]

Reka,
great shots, they remind me of the Ober Bayern, I hope that's the correct spelling; maybe I should have just said Bavaria.
Kev.:)

[Juergen D]

Reka,
great shots, they remind me of the Ober Bayern, I hope that's the correct spelling; maybe I should have just said Bavaria.
Kev.:)
Kev,
Oberbayern, Upper Bavaria, a district of Bavaria. Close enough. :)

Juergen

[Sissy]

Reka, I'm so glad you've explained where you live in Italy. I had noticed that some of your layouts had German written on them and couldn't figure out why when you were living in Italy. Your post 'plains it!!

Great photographs. What a fun tradition, and I'm sure a fun day for your son. I lived in Germany from the time I was 3 years old until I was 16 years old. We visited this whole part of Europe several times. Sure wish I could go back as an adult. I'm afraid I didn't appreciate it as much as I would now.

[mom to 4]

Reka:

I love those! I too was wondering where in Italy you are. I am going there sometime in June with my daughter (three weeks!!!) can't wait. Not looking forward to the flight (don't like flying), but can't wait to see Italy. My husband is of Italian heritage.

BTW, are you ready for our course....starts a week from today! You too Sissy....all ready for class ....oh, and drinks afterwards?!?!?!?

[NMarti]

Wonderful shots. I love the traditions that other countries practice and enjoy seeing them. Thanks for sharing.

[hukari]

First of all, thanks to Juergen for fixing the link (Are you German, BTW?), and thanks to all for all of the kind comments.

@Lee &Andie: Yes, we are right in the middle of the Dolomites, south of Bolzano/Bozen (All towns have at least two names, in German and Italian - some even have a third name in Ladin, a local Rhaeto-Raomancelanguage).

@TomK: My son plays percussion, so he is at the very back. :( Here is a picture of him playing:

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/gallery/view_img.php?id=15749
(Can't get either Pixentral or Imageshack to work today!?)

His best friend started this year and is the "drum dog" pulling the big drum, the percussionists' most hated position!

@Karen: If you like those buildings, I will have to post some of the old ones in our area. This village (pop. 1200) used to be a silk producing area with lots of nobility (In-laws live in "Earl's Alley") and the buildings, though not all restored yet, are very nice.

@Sissy: Glad you liked it. If you do come over, drop me a line!

@Colleen & Sissy: "Looking forward" to class is understatement! The first round of drinks is on me, but you have to come to my house for them!!

I wish you all a happy, healthy new year!

[Juergen D]

Ja. :)

Juergen

[msbrad]

Great Pictures, thankyou for sharing, I have been to Italy, but not the part where you live. I do hope to return and visit again. We had a lovely time.
m
and because I'm nosy...what class?

[hukari]

Ja. :)

Juergen
Dachte bereits.:) Es war Florida und Juergen...

[hukari]

and because I'm nosy...what class?

Collages! There are five of us, I think.

[Winsunn]

Wonderful pictures. I wish I could be there. For that much work, they probably deserve to have more drink than what is good for them.