Thanksgiving In Austria: A Cultural Celebration Or Not?

Thanksgiving is a US holiday celebrated on the third Thursday of November. But is it celebrated in Austria? The short answer is: yes, in its own way. Austrians celebrate Erntedankfest, or harvest festival of thanks, which is similar in concept to American Thanksgiving. This primarily rural celebration is held in churches across the country and includes musical performances, dancing, food, and lantern parades. While some Austrians, like US expats, choose to celebrate US-style Thanksgiving, complete with turkey and apple pie, Erntedankfest typically features chicken or rooster as the feathered centerpiece.

Austrians in the US celebrate Thanksgiving

While Thanksgiving is not a holiday in Austria, Austrians in the US can still celebrate it in their own way.

Austrians living in the US may find themselves wanting to join in with Thanksgiving celebrations, and they can do so by cooking and eating traditional Thanksgiving food. This could include a big roast turkey, apple pie, and other bakes. They can also take part in the post-feast walk or hike, a traditional part of the day for many Americans.

Austrians in the US can also use the day to connect with their heritage and share their own holiday traditions with their American friends. They can cook Austrian food, share stories of Austrian celebrations, and even compare Austrian and American holidays. For example, Erntedankfest, an Austrian holiday in October, is similar to Thanksgiving as it is a "harvest festival of thanks". It includes parades, music, and dancing, and often features birds as centrepieces, such as chickens, hens, geese, and roosters.

Austrians in the US can also use the day to connect with other Austrians and share their experiences of living in a different country. They can cook Austrian food together, share stories, and create a sense of community and belonging.

Thanksgiving is a time to come together and give thanks, and Austrians in the US can embrace this sentiment and make the day their own, while also sharing their unique culture with others.

Erntedankfest: Austria's harvest festival of thanks

While Austria does not celebrate Thanksgiving, it does have its own version of a harvest festival of thanks, called Erntedankfest. This holiday is celebrated in German-speaking countries, including Austria, and takes place in early October. It is a primarily rural celebration held at churches across the country.

Erntedankfest is a day-long affair, beginning with a morning procession and the presentation of the Erntekrone (harvest crown). This is followed by musical performances, dancing, food, and an evening service. The festivities culminate in a lantern parade and fireworks. While turkey is becoming more popular, traditional Erntedankfest meals feature various feathered centrepieces, including broiler chickens, hens, geese, and castrated roosters.

In contrast to American Thanksgiving, Erntedankfest does not involve travelling long distances or gathering with extended family. Instead, it is a local celebration contained within rural areas. For those living in urban parts of Austria, participation in Erntedankfest is unlikely unless they actively seek it out.

Thanksgiving in Austria: a multicultural experience

Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and gratitude. But what happens when you celebrate this holiday away from home? For Americans living in Austria, Thanksgiving takes on a unique and multicultural twist.

Erntedankfest: Austria's Own Thanksgiving

While Austria doesn't officially celebrate the American holiday of Thanksgiving, it does have its own version called Erntedankfest, or "Harvest Festival of Thanks". This festival, celebrated in German-speaking countries including Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, shares the same values of gratitude and celebration as its American counterpart. Erntedankfest is held every autumn, usually in late September or early October, and is a primarily rural celebration. The day is filled with processions, musical performances, dancing, and, of course, food! While turkey is not the traditional centerpiece, various feathered friends like chickens, hens, and geese grace the tables.

An American Thanksgiving in Austria

For Americans living in Austria, celebrating Thanksgiving can be a unique and memorable experience. It involves hunting down ingredients in grocery stores, connecting with other expats, and sharing cultural traditions with locals. Michael Hughes, a US Fulbright grantee living in Austria, shared his experience of preparing a US-style Thanksgiving dinner with roommates from Germany, the Czech Republic, and Austria. The group spent the evening exchanging holiday traditions and creating their own multicultural Thanksgiving memories.

A Time for Gratitude and Community

Thanksgiving, whether celebrated in the US or abroad, is a time for gratitude and community. For Americans in Austria, it provides an opportunity to connect with others who understand the significance of the holiday. It's a chance to share traditions, create new ones, and find a sense of belonging in a foreign country. This multicultural celebration enriches their understanding of both their host country and their home country, as they see their familiar traditions through the lens of a new culture.

A Different Kind of Feast

Preparing a traditional Thanksgiving feast abroad comes with its own set of challenges. Finding ingredients in Austrian grocery stores can be an adventure, and some substitutions may be necessary. But that doesn't stop Americans from attempting to recreate their favorite dishes, from roasted turkey to apple pie. And while there may not be football games on TV, Austrians embrace the post-feast walk with their own hiking traditions, offering a different kind of post-dinner activity.

A New Perspective

Celebrating Thanksgiving in Austria allows Americans to view their own traditions through a new lens. It provides an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of the holiday and share their cultural heritage with others. In turn, they get to learn about Austrian traditions, like Erntedankfest, and appreciate the similarities and differences between the two cultures. This exchange of traditions creates a unique and enriching experience, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of both cultures.

The food of Thanksgiving in Austria

Thanksgiving is not a traditional holiday in Austria, but that doesn't stop Austrians from enjoying a delicious meal with loved ones. If you're celebrating Thanksgiving in Austria, you might be interested in trying some of the country's traditional dishes to give your celebration a local twist.

Austria has a rich culinary heritage, with many mouth-watering dishes to choose from. One classic Austrian dish is Wiener Schnitzel, a breaded and pan-fried cutlet of veal traditionally served with a lemon slice and potato salad. Another iconic Austrian food is Apfelstrudel, a mouth-watering pastry filled with sliced apples, raisins, and spices, often served with a generous dollop of whipped cream.

If you're looking for a heartier option, consider trying Kasnudeln, a type of stuffed pasta native to southern Austria. These delicate dumplings are filled with a combination of fresh cheese, potatoes, and herbs, and they make for a comforting and satisfying meal. For a true Austrian experience, serve them with a generous sprinkling of crispy fried onions on top.

Of course, no Austrian meal would be complete without some delicious desserts. In addition to Apfelstrudel, there's also the mouth-watering Sachertorte, a rich chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam and a glossy chocolate glaze. For something a little more whimsical, try Krapfen, Austria's version of doughnuts, filled with apricot jam or custard and often dusted with powdered sugar.

While the focus of Thanksgiving is often on the turkey, don't forget to round out your meal with some seasonal produce. Root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and turnips are perfect for roasting, and autumn in Austria also brings an abundance of wild mushrooms and pumpkin, which can be used in everything from soups to desserts.

So, even though Thanksgiving is not traditionally celebrated in Austria, you can still enjoy a delicious and memorable meal by incorporating some of the country's culinary delights. Whether you stick to traditional American fare or branch out and include some Austrian specialties, the most important part is gathering with loved ones and giving thanks for the blessings in your life.

Thanksgiving in Austria: a time for family

Thanksgiving is a time for family, and that's no different in Austria. Although it's not an official celebration, many Austrians with links to the US, or with an interest in US culture, mark the occasion in their own way.

Erntedankfest

The closest equivalent to Thanksgiving in Austria is Erntedankfest, or "harvest festival of thanks". This is a rural festival celebrated in German-speaking countries, including Austria, in late September or early October. It's a time to give thanks for a good year and good fortune, and it's marked by church services, parades, music, dancing, and food.

US expats in Austria

For US expats in Austria, Thanksgiving is a chance to connect with their culture and loved ones back home. It can be a challenge to find the right ingredients for a traditional Thanksgiving meal, but many make the effort, even if it means searching several grocery stores! It's a chance to share their traditions with Austrian friends, and for Austrians to learn about US culture.

A time to connect

For those with links to both countries, it's a chance to share their experiences of Austrian culture and the adjustments they've made while living abroad. It's also an opportunity to gain a new perspective on their US hometowns, and to offer their own unique viewpoint on Austria to others.

A time to give thanks

At its heart, Thanksgiving is about gratitude, and that's a universal value. Whether it's a US-style Thanksgiving or Erntedankfest, the focus is on giving thanks for the harvest, for good fortune, and for the year's blessings. It's a time to come together, to share a meal, and to celebrate with loved ones.

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