Advent Singers (Gleckisinga) in Berchtesgaden.. A Money Collecting Tradition

The earliest evidence of this Rite dates back to 1450.

Unlike the other Advent Singers, in the Bavarian, Salzburg and Tyrol Regions, the Berchtesgaden Advent Singers come around only on the first two Thursday Evenings of Advent. On the third Thursday Evening the Berchtesgaden Hag roams the streets, and according to Olden Traditions, residents are not allowed to venture out of their Houses after Sundown.The Advent Singers are usually dressed in Traditional Berchtesgaden Garb (Tracht) and/or as Shepherds, with long Beards, or with Fur Gowns (Kotzn), they carry Lanterns and long Staffs, they sing Christmas Carols and wish you Luck. After their performance the visited offer the Singers gifts of Apples, Nuts, Fruit Bread, Goodies (sweets) and a little money.In Berchtesgaden, as opposed to Olden Times, mainly children perform this Tradition. In certain instances the Advent Singers are also used to gather donations for Charities. Earlier the Poor and the Needy, to earn a little something for Christmas, were the ones to knock on doors and bring Luck and Blessings on the Houses. However, it seemed that this Practise was thought of as inappropriate, and, from 1850 to the end of the 1920´s, a Society against “Begging” was formed. Inhabitants of the Town felt themselves violated by the “Begging”. Luckily this wonderful Tradition has managed to survive within the Berchtesgaden Counties. Now-a-days, due to Halloween, children don´t need to learn the Rituals only to say “Trick or Treat”.