Perchtoldsdorf residents celebrate a UNESCO heritage harvest festival dating to 1422

Residents of Perchtoldsdorf in the Mödling district of Austria will gather this Sunday for the Hiataeinzug, a traditional harvest festival.

The community celebrates a custom that dates back to 1422. According to local legend, a wine guardian named Thomas suffered a severe injury in the vineyards and was only able to attend a church service on November 6. This event, known as Leonhardi, serves as the foundation for the annual celebration of Thomas's recovery.

The UNESCO organization has recognized the festival as intangible cultural heritage. Gisi and Heinz Wolf serve as the festival's parents this year. The couple participated in the procession as youths, with Heinz carrying a banner and Gisi carrying a basket. They have spent weeks overseeing traditional preparations, including the time when the Hiatabuam, or festival boys, visit various wine growers to collect wine for the priest. Thousands of guests expect to fill the town center on Sunday, November 8.

Starting at 9:45 am, the festival parents lead the Hiatabuam and a large harvest crown to a church mass accompanied by brass music. Following the service, a folk court takes place in front of the town hall where the boys use humorous verses to tease local prominent figures while drinking free wine.