The club’s chronicle

Trachtenverein Roßecker – A Legacy of Styrian Tradition Since 1920

The Trachtenverein Roßecker was founded in 1920 and named after the 1664-meter-high mountain “Roßeck.” This dance group, consisting of 35 members, is primarily made up of young people under the age of 25. Its primary focus is on preserving traditional Styrian figure dances and Schuhplattler.

Cultural Significance

The association’s cultural importance is reflected in its diverse activities, ranging from creative arts to the preservation of customs, amateur theater, songs, music, dance, Schuhplattler, and particularly traditional Styrian costumes.

In 1972, the Eisenwurzen Festive Dirndl—specific to the iron-producing regions—was introduced as the association’s official costume. Married women wear the Styrian women’s bonnet (also called the Hornputzhaube, known for its raised back embroidered with gold), while unmarried girls wear the Bodenhäubchen, originally worn under large straw hats.

Youth Engagement

In 1967, the association established its children’s and youth group, reflecting its dynamic and varied activities. Girls wear the Veitscher Dirndl, while boys don traditional Styrian attire.

Dance and International Representation

The dance and Schuhplattler group also explores Austrian folk dances, alpine Schuhplattler, and folk music. They have proudly represented Austria in international performances in countries such as Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, South Tyrol, France, Poland, China, Japan, Indonesia, Canada, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Romania (Timișoara), and Dubai.

The dancers also participated in video recordings of Styrian basic and figure dances for the Styrian Dance Performance Badge in Bronze and Silver. All couples took part in individual competitions for the Bronze badge, with some competing for Silver. Notably, 34 members hold the prestigious Golden Dance Performance Badge, of which there are only 87 in all of Styria.

Achievements and Awards

The Roßecker represented Austria with great success at the Folklore World Championship in Palma de Mallorca, earning an impressive 3rd place among 84 groups from 60 nations and securing the Bronze medal for Austria and Styria.

As the first Austrian group ever, the Roßecker received invitations to South Korea and Japan, where they performed alongside 250 Korean and 28 international groups with nearly 6,000 participants for an international dance jury.

In 2014, the group was the sole Austrian representative at the world’s largest festival in Montreal, Canada. Meanwhile, the children’s group won 1st prize in Nowy Sącz, Poland, as the most authentic group. In 2016 and 2017, international tours took the group to Germany, Sweden, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Japan.

Local Engagement

Performances at various events in Styria, such as Europe Day, the University of Graz, EU seminars in Kapfenberg, and other institutional events, are integral parts of the annual program. The group also attends anniversary celebrations of Styrian Trachtenvereine, where both children and adults have won numerous awards for dancing and Schuhplattler performances.

Support and Community Involvement

The association cares for its 600 supporting members through activities like birthday and Valentine’s Day greetings, wedding traditions (e.g., bridal wake-ups, forming honor guards at church or civil ceremonies, and blocking the wedding procession), hospital visits, and participation in funerals.

To strengthen connections with members, the association organizes training excursions, Mother’s Day and Advent celebrations, monthly “Roßecker Stammtisch” meetings, and senior folk dance courses.

Recognitions

The Roßecker have won the title of “Best Styrian Dance Group” multiple times between 1990 and 2018/19 for their outstanding performances in Styrian folk dance. The group also claimed the title of “Best Styrian Schuhplattler Group” during the same period.

This annual competition for the Wanderbanner is hosted in the hometown of the winning group and serves to preserve the traditional and intricate Styrian figure dances. Through their dedication and achievements, the Trachtenverein Roßecker remains a vital force in preserving and promoting Styrian cultural heritage locally and internationally.