European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 25, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazine the pm of Salzburg i old City Ami the Hortn Tolburg fortress lie under a Blanket of Snow. The pageantry of Salzburg Christmas by Teddie Weyr United press International a visit to Salzburg during the month olde Cember recalls All the Awe and Joy Olp laying in a Christmas pageant without having to set the stage or learn the  old City itself with its imposing fortress crowned Mountain banking up one Side. Becomes the backdrop Tor music theatrics and a Christmas Market. The Christmas season is officially ushered in on the eve of the first sunday in Advent. This year Advent begins on dec.1 ontheeveningofnov.30, Balcony around the Bell Tower or glockenspiel and on rooftops around the resident Platz in the City Scenter will blow deep and reverent tones across the Square. It s a time when locals and tourists alike slow their pre carte Mas Pace or a moment linger on the Square and listen. Each sunday in Advent is halted this Way. The Salzburg Advent singing. Salzburg s most important Christmas event has developed from a cozy Folk music evening among friends into a Christmas  attended by 40,000 each year. Tickets Are sold out a year in Advance. The Advent singing was the brainchild of Tobi Reiser who organized the first evening in 1946. The legacy he Toft his son Tobias upon his death in 1974 is a major production involving 18 performances with some 180 singers in the Large festival House. Reiser or who played several instruments including a variation of the dulcimer he invented himself collected Folk songs from the towns around Salzburg. He used these along with his own music. The Advent singing combines Christmas Folk music and songs with scenes from the Bible Story of Christ s birth. A Large chorus of local choir groups from the Salzburg area and some from Bavaria in West Germany sing the carols. Young boys play the parts of shepherds who first see the Star of Bethlehem. The scenes have been expanded Over the years to include Mary and Joseph on their search Lor shelter and also incorporate Christmas legends Peculiar to the Salzburg area. The singers musicians and actors All Wear the traditional country dress or Rachlen. Readings of Christmas related anecdotes and experiences were incorporated into the program in 1960 by Kurt Heinrich Waggel a native writer and author. Reiser or. Explains the program s popularity by its honesty. We bring something across at every performance. It in t just  he said. It present san honesty that the audience  Salzburg a City of music All year round oilers special Christmas concerts with music by the masters and churches present Complete masses by Mozart Haydn and Anton Bruckner. On dec. 24, 25 and 26, the Cathedral in the City Center also incorporates the world renowned Christmas hymn silent night holy nigh into its mass. The famous hymn was born about 10 Miles from Salzburg in a town called Oberndorf where in 1818, hungry Church mice had chewed through the Bellows of the Parish pump Organ. Assistant Parish priest Josef Mohr and his Friend monday november 25, 1985 Franz Xavier Gruber sought a Way to save the music program of the following Day s Midnight mass together they composed the hymn which has become a tradition worldwide. The main squares of the City Are Home to another tradition that has been raised to a theatrical spectacle. On dec. 5 and 6, St Nicholas s opposite the grampus. Goes through the City looking Lor bad children. While Good children get sweets from St. Nicholas the naughty get a whipping from the Devil like grampus who carries a bundle of bound twigs Lor this purpose rattling his chains As he walks. A Krampa wearing an elaborate papier mache mask and Long red Robes makes his Way across the main squares peering into anxious faces. Shrieks of fear and amusement Greet him at every step. Local children who make their own masks and switches and roam the streets looking Lor a victim can be More menacing. Two american students once cornered by two of these Hall pint devils were chased across Hall the City before escaping with burning backsides. Christmas shoppers also will find everything they could require for the season on the City s main squares where the Christmas Market has its Home from nov. 30 to dec. 24. Tree decorations dried Flowers mittens ceramics Glass jewelry fur and leather articles Are Only some of the things one can find at the Market. Refreshment stands offer sausages donuts and cups of hot mulled wine to wrap cold fingers around. For especially cold Days better spent indoors the City s Carolino augus Teum museum presents an exhibit of creches from several countries and centuries. The stars and stripes Page 13