Villach, Austria is located in the state of Kärnten (Carinthia) in the South, and is situated on the Drau river. It is an important traffic hub for the entire region of southern Austria and the Alpe-Adria area. It is also beautiful – I lived there from February to August of 1975, and while I was there I was privileged to experience Villacher Kirchtag, one of Austria’s largest cultural festivals.
Kirchtag (literally “church day,” but encompassing more of a summer harvest festival than anything else) was begun on 1 August, 1936. It begins on the first Saturday in August and runs for a week. The annual Trachtenfestzug (regional costume parade) that takes place on the first day can attract 40,000 to 50,000 spectators.
Below, for your viewing pleasure, the photos I took of the event in 1975.
To the Amusement Park
Rides
Fireworks
Parade
Local clergy
Parade
Hauptplatz festivities
More Fireworks
Ferris Wheel
Amusement park
Parade
Parade
Making a point
Parade
Dancing girls
Spook Alley
Parade
Parade
Parade
Parade
Parade
Crowds gather to watch the parade
Hauptplatz
Parade
Looking towards the train station
Folk Dancing
Parade
Parade
Parade
Parade
Hauptplatz again
Looking the other way
Parade
Parade
Local costume
Oh my God it’s a bear get in the car!
Parade
Local color of a different kind.
Music everywhere
My Kirchtag-ID, similar to today’s concert or event wristbands.
Our little meeting house was on the second floor of one of the buildings along Hauptplatz, giving us a front-row seat for all the festivities. I love Villach, and I have enjoyed every chance to get back.
The Old Wolf has spoken.
Playing in the World Game 
Wow! Who would have dreamt to see pictures from the Villacher Kirchtag form the time when i was a child? Thank you for the interesting photos! Would bei great to see more 😉
Martin
Gerne geschehen, Martin! 😀
Danke! Wenn ich das gewusst hätte, hätte ich deutsch geschrieben 🙂
Und jetzt haben Sie es getan, also alles in Ordnung. Was Ihre erste Bemerkung angeht, das hier ist leider meine ganze Sammlung. Ich wünsche nur, daß ich noch mehr Fotos geknipst hätte… war aber auf andere Weise betätigt. 😉
Das kann ich gut verstehen, dass man zum Kirchtag nicht nur Fotos im Kopf hat! 😉 Haben sie noch andere Fotos (außer jenen die schon zu sehen sind) aus der Zeit von Villach?
Etliche. Werde ich die aussuchen.
Super!!! 🙂
Hallo! Wollte mal wieder nach den alten Fotos aus Villach fragen? 😉 Martin
Danke für das Erinnerungsschreiben! Das Leben ist zu beschäftigt…