At the Graz farmers' market

How palm bushes are supposed to bring blessings to Styrians

Kaiser-Josef-Platz in Graz is a hive of activity before Easter at Herta Schaffler's stall.

(Bild: Sepp Pail)

The Easter business at the Kaiser-Josef market in Graz is picking up speed these days. Shortly before Palm Sunday, people are busy buying palm bushes for the consecration. How much they cost, where the Palmkatzerl come from - and what customs the Styrians associate with them.

They are supposed to greet Jesus on his entry into Jerusalem and bring blessings to all Styrian households: Shortly before Palm Sunday, the farmers' markets in Graz are buzzing - many people want to get hold of a palm bush for the consecration. "It's a tradition for us, I got it from my mother," says Elisabeth Kindlhofer. She holds three lush palm bushes in her hand that she has just got hold of: "They are supposed to protect our home and family from harm."

Herta Schaffler has been a sales clerk at the Kaiser-Josef-Markt in Graz for 55 years.

(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Herta Schaffler from Zettling stands on the other side of the market stall. She has been selling Palmkatzerl at the Kaiser Josef Market in Graz for 55 years now. Her table displays a wide range of twigs, bushes, sticks and wreaths made from the Easter plant. "They're all my own products, even the straw flowers," says the elderly lady, "when it's as warm as today, lots of people come." She picks up a wreath of colorful straw flowers and says: "I've been at the farmers' market for so long, even the grandchildren of my regular customers come to me."

Low prices for a product from the region
And what does it cost? Schaffler charges 20 to 25 euros per wreath and 3 to 4 euros for a palm bush. Sepp Nuster from Eggerdorf also has similar prices at his stand: 2 to 3 euros 50 for a small palm bush. "Young people and families with children also buy from us. Traditions are also coming back among young people - and even city dwellers," says the 49-year-old. "At home, we're very much into Easter traditions. We save the branches and burn them in the oven when there are heavy storms."

Regardless of tradition, Palmkatzerl are a symbol of luck and blessing. Some people put them in the field after the consecration to pray for a good harvest, others take them to the farm to protect the animals from harm. "We walk around the house three times to bring blessings to all the residents. This tradition is simply part of Easter for us, not necessarily just because of the church," says Jasmin Pfeifer, who has also just bought a branch.

Josef Grabin is offering palm bush tying at his farm on Saturday.

(Bild: Sepp Pail)

At the other corner of the market square, a special handicraft catches the eye: Palm cookies wrapped in wickerwork. "We've been doing this together with regional basket weavers for 12 years," says Josef Grabin. "Anyone who wants to can make their own basket at our farm in Edelstauden. It starts on Saturday at 2 pm." It is an annual get-together for all those who believe in Easter traditions. The parish council of Edelstauden will be serving the Easter cake - all proceeds will be donated to a chapel roof.