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Intangible cultural heritage

Traditions, knoweldge, craftsmanship techniques  
Photo: © UNESCO/James Muriuki

Anklöpfeln (knocking on doors) in the Tyrolean Unterland
Social practices in Tyrol, inscribed 2011

„Anklöpfeln“ (dialect for “to knock”) is a practice cultivated in the Tyrolean lower Inn valley. Here, a group of mostly male singers dress up as shepherds and visit the neighbouring houses on the three Thursdays before Christmas (“knocking nights”).

The singers are invited into the homes and strike up several songs to herald the Christmas message of the birth of Jesus Christ. Often, these singers are accompanied by instrumentalists. As a way of thanking the singers, they are given a minimum of one drink, some Christmas biscuits or a snack. Sometimes money is given as well, which is collected by the society of "knockers" and spent on charity.

Contact

Joch Weißbacher
6311 Wildschönau
joch@tirol.com

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