I am from Austria

I’m sharing a photo I titled “I Am from Austria”, inspired by the song of the same name. It captures a very special moment I had the chance to witness last May — the raising of the Maibaum, the maypole, in the village of Sankt Wolfgang im Salzkammergut.

It was a timeless scene: the whole village gathered, dressed in tracht, to celebrate the day around this towering pole, lifted entirely by human strength in the center of the square. The celebration was filled with traditional music, dances, and songs — including the Schuhplattler, a lively folk dance typical of the region.

What I deeply love about Austria, and especially its Alpine regions, is the people’s strong connection to their traditions and their desire to keep them alive. I’m fascinated by yodeling — a vocal art that’s both technical and deeply rooted, passed down through generations. It reminds me that we are not only receivers of a tradition but also its keepers, responsible for carrying it forward while staying connected to the present. And the children sipping Coca-Cola amid all this heritage are a perfect little reminder of that modern touch 😉

~ Isaure Delepoulle