Admission denied

Excitement over witch: UNESCO rejects Preberschützen

They aim at the water, ideally hitting the innermost part of the target, the so-called Hexenblattl.

(Bild: Roland Holitzky/ROLAND_HOLITZKY)

The venerable Lungau Shooting Society wants to have its 190-year-old tradition declared an intangible world cultural heritage site. So far, the Preberschützen have been looking through their fingers when it comes to the nomination. The reason is almost absurd.

A letter is currently causing a stir in Salzburg. It was received by Sandra Etschbacher, head marksman of the Tamsweg Preberschützen. The content in brief: An advisory board of Unesco has rejected the inclusion of the time-honored shooting club in the circle of intangible world cultural heritage. In other words, the committee has once again rejected the Lungau society's application.

The bone of contention: the inner part of the target (red and green at the top), known as the Hexenblattl.

(Bild: Roland Holitzky/ROLAND_HOLITZKY)

The reason given in the letter reads like an adventure. The advisory board takes offense at the term "witch", which is an integral part of traditional shooting. A hit in the middle of the target has always been the so-called "Hexenblattl" in water shooting.

No real witches
In modern times, however, the term "witch" is problematic, even in this context, according to the advisory board. "This is the second time that the advisory board has rejected the application for admission," says the disappointed head of the association. "I'm still not sure what really bothers the committee," says Etschbacher. Everything had already been explained in detail in the summer. "Obviously, someone still believes that we really shoot at witches."

Chief marksman Sandra Etschbacher with deputy Peter Lintschinger

(Bild: Roland Holitzky/ROLAND_HOLITZKY)

Of course, this is not the case. The name comes from the wafts of mist that occasionally swirl across the surface of Lake Preber. There was never a real witch. The history of the Preberschützen and water target shooting can be traced back to 1834. Inclusion in the spiritual world cultural heritage would have been a great gift for the 190th anniversary. Etschbacher and her Preber marksmen will try again.