Some Photographs from the First
International
Scythe Symposium
and Festival
( Molln, Austria July 11-18, 2004)
 | The picturesque countryside surrounding Molln, Austria |
 | National emblem of Slovakia on the hillside, the creation of an eight-man team-six mowers, one carrying the bottle of slivovica and shot glass, and one to play harmonica |
 | Mowers of that design in the meadow, the four standing men are authentic Slovaks in their region's traditional attire, with the country's mowing champion waving his hat. The kneeling one, though still claiming heritage by way of wearing the hairstyle of his Slovak forefathers, has since 1968 been living in Canada. |
 | Solidarity Mowing Party. |
 |
Before the mowing competition between the local town mayors, one of them needs some nourishment. |
 | Scythe factory technician Ernst Schoiswohl and I arguing over who has a meaner-looking blade. |
 | Getting ready to prove my point. |
 | First grass cut with a blade which had spent half a century, never used, over an office door as an exhibit of excellence in scythesmithing. |
 | "Go and unwind in the beer tent before you cut off your other toe", commands Adolf Staufer. He is the official judge, so of course I comply.. |
 | On the way I meet August Pfaffenhuemer who, scared by the long blade, surrenders his beer.. |
 | ..and then, seeing that I'm not the real GRIM REAPER, wants it back. |
 | Convivial Mowers. | Posted 14 Feb. 2005 |