The ‘Schoatnhex’ from Saalfelden Leogang

Woe betide the Krampus: even from afar you can hear the muffled sound of the huge cowbell he carries on his belt. Goosebumps and eyes wide open in fright are not only a sign for small children that the arrival of the horned journeyman in Saalfelden Leogang may not be a good thing. He is the terrifyingly beautiful companion of St Nicholas. The most impressive thing about the Krampus is his skilfully carved mask, a masterpiece of Pinzgau craftsmanship. And these works of art are now always created by Lisa Hirschbichler. A young woman provides carved horror in Salzburger Land. 

 

The Schoatnhex: with a chainsaw on a broomstick

Advent and the period leading up to Epiphany are characterised by lively traditions in the Saalfelden Leogang region in the Austrian province of Salzburg. Here in Pinzgau, these include the Krampus runs during Advent and the Perchten appearances on the Raunächte nights after Christmas. Frightening masks are always the most important part of the splendidly designed costumes. That has always been the case. What has not always been the case is that a young woman is giving this tradition a new appeal with fresh ideas. Lisa Hirschbichler is 29 years young and already a recognised artist when it comes to the spooky. She calls herself ‘Schoatnhex’. She owes her name to her boyfriend Erwin Herzog, who got her into wood carving and always smiles when she is covered in wood shavings while working. While her boyfriend mainly works on larger projects such as portals and fountain troughs with a chainsaw, Lisa is more interested in conjuring characterful features from the wood into the faces of the masks with a fine finish. The name ‘Schoatnhex’ is her trademark. Even the logo features a witch riding on a broomstick - with a chainsaw in her hand.   

 

Fairies, elves and even sloths are made from Swiss stone pine wood

Anyone who gets to know Lisa Hirschbichler outside of her workshop will not immediately guess that the qualified masseuse and fitness trainer, with her athletic figure, delicate hands and dreadlocks, has been holding her own in the male domain of mask carving since 2016 and full-time since 2018. What makes her different and what motivates her? ‘It's always a great feeling,’ enthuses the dedicated artist, ’when you have a plan and work on a large, rough piece of wood piece by piece and end up with a great result.’ Her innovative masks give other carvers a run for their money. She says she got her passion for hand-carving from her grandmother. She prefers to work with Swiss stone pine wood because it is so beautifully soft. ‘The wearer's face has to feel as comfortable in the mask as in a cosy living room.’  This is important because a mask can weigh up to five kilos or more, depending on the design and horns. She has great respect for chainsaws. At a wood symposium, she learnt that other tools can also be used. ‘The horns are usually real, from goats, cows or rams. I get them from butchers and Krampus outfitters or a customer brings them with them. I also carve animal sculptures, fairies, elves and reliefs.’ She works on a mask for around 25 to 30 hours. Large sculptures take more time, but masks are more elaborate in their fine work. The largest figure so far was a sloth on a tree made of larch wood, 1.30 metres high. ‘The figure is already inside the wood,’ she explains with a smile, ’you just have to know what to remove.’ 

 

Lisa Hirschbichler's vision: Krampus masks for women for their own women's passport

Is she actually scared when she sees the Krampus masks she has made herself? ‘No,’ she laughs, ’I used to be terrified of Perchten and Krampus. But since I've learnt how the grimaces are made, I often go along in costume and mask myself.’ Lisa Hirschbichler is a woman of contrasts. On the one hand, she is dedicated to historical customs, while on the other she keeps fit with pole dancing, archery and aerial hoop. Walking her dog often gives her plenty of new ideas. She receives commissions from her home region of Saalfelden Leogang, from Austria and also from Germany. She can no longer imagine ever doing anything else. And she would like to carve Krampus masks for women and organise her own women's pass in Pinzgau. ‘The world of Krampus could do with a feminine touch.’ That's a dream of hers and she would also run in it. A pass is a group of Krampuses or Perchten. Anyone who encounters a pass of Perchten in the Saalfelden Leogang region during the Raunächte, i.e. the time between Christmas and Epiphany, must be on their guard. The Perchten are supposed to drive away the horrors of winter and ominous spirits. They like to do this during Perchten runs by scaring unsuspecting passers-by. Keep calm - they just want to play. 

 

Romantic Advent in Saalfelden Leogang - skiing and feasting

The Advent season in Saalfelden Leogang begins on 28 November, the first weekend of Advent, with the Culinary Advent in Leogang.  Delicacies such as Fleischkrapfen, Pofesen, Kletzenbrot, chestnuts and much more are on offer. Local businesses exhibit their works of art. Several nativity scenes are on display in the church, in addition to the newly restored church nativity scene. On the same weekend, the Lions Advent Market takes place in Saalfelden, with the proceeds being donated to a family in need in the region. There is a Christmas market on Saalfelden's town hall square every Advent weekend. A total of 408 kilometres of pistes, 121 lifts and a glacier in the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn in conjunction with the Schmittenhöhe in Zell am See and the Kitzsteinhorn in Kaprun also await winter sports enthusiasts. All to be experienced with the ‘Alpin Card’. There is also plenty to experience away from the ski slopes, such as cross-country skiing, ice skating, winter hiking, tobogganing and much more. Of course, there will also be a visit from St Nicholas during Advent, accompanied by Krampus. And then this Krampus mask could be from Lisa Hirschbichler.