The Tramin folk dance group

55 years in step with tradition

As soon as the accordion begins to play its first bars, the feet begin to move in time to the music. With every step, every turn, a centuries-old tradition comes alive. The traditional costumes swirl, hands clap, and the music leads the dancers through the traditional “Tanzln”¹. Anyone watching immediately senses: This is more than just dance. This is community. This is home. This group carries the rhythm of Tramin within itself.

A turbulent history

Founded in 1961, dissolved in 1966, and revived in 1970 by a group of young Tramin residents, the second era began with the commitment of the Catholic Youth. Lacking personal experience, the aspiring dancers learned weekly from the Kaltern folk dance group “—with a Tramin resident and a Kaltern resident always forming a dance pair.”

 „Back then, they could learn a lot from the people of Kaltern when it came to dancing,”

says chairman Werner Widmann with a grin. Little by little, the Traminers mastered the dances confidently; after all, there were 50 to 60 dances to learn.

Of the founding group from the 1960s, only Maridl (Maria) Oberhofer and Pepi (Josef) Campregher remained. The latter not only accompanied the music on his accordion but also led the dances and ensured that the first village performances took place that same year.

Association in constant change

Many years have passed since then, and the club has undergone constant change over time. Werner Widmann describes it as “a constant coming and going.” Young people join, while others leave when family or work calls. This creates a dynamic community: Experienced dancers share their knowledge, while new members bring new energy. With an average age of 32, the group remains vibrant and young.

Previously, only single men and women were allowed to join the club; those who married left the group. Passionate dancers like Lisi (Elisabeth) and Mainrad Oberhofer, who left the club after their weddings, later founded a second, unofficial folk dance group—a meeting place for anyone who didn’t want to miss out on dancing. To mark the folk dance group’s 40th anniversary, the “unofficial” dance group also performed, and it remained active until the coronavirus pandemic.

From generation to generation

A lot has changed since the 1960s, but one thing has remained unchanged to this day: the enthusiasm with which this tradition is passed on from generation to generation.

Rehearsals take place every Tuesday – formerly in the parish hall, now in the middle school auditorium. The group currently has 27 members. The ratio of women to men is constantly changing. Sometimes there are more women, sometimes more men—usually eight to nine couples whirl across the dance floor, while the other dancers watch and court dance partners with a wink.

Performances and festivals

The number of performances has also increased: Over the years there have been home evenings, away trips and unforgettable anniversaries, including those marking the 25th and 40th anniversaries.

The year-round calendar is packed: Highlights include the “Family Festival,” the patron saint’s day of the Tramin parish church on June 16, and the “Long Wednesday in Tramin,” at which the group performs twice. The folk dance group is represented every year at the “Törggele Days” and the “Weingassl” festival. On Corpus Christi, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and Thanksgiving Day, they carry the statue of the Virgin Mary through the village during the procession.

In November, the folk dance group brings joy to the retirement home, before the dance year traditionally ends with St. Catherine‘s Day. It’s said: „Kathrein sperrt in Tonz ein”², explains the chairman – no more dances should be performed in public until after Lent. Nowadays, it’s no longer seen as „hoagl“³ , so in Advent, after a Rorate, the atmospheric and spectacular „Fokeltonz”⁴ takes place in the churchyard.

For more than 10 years, the folk dance group has offered a dance course for beginners and advanced dancers during Lent, with new members joining the group time and again, who, after the course, say,: „Volkstonz – Des war epes für mi!“⁵

55 years of living tradition

The Tramin Folk Dance Group has shaped the cultural scene since 1968 – an impressive half-century. It preserves Tyrolean dance traditions and brings them closer to everyone with joie de vivre and hospitality. Today, we express our sincere gratitude for 55 years of community life, for the turns, steps, and smiles that keep our Tramin village spirit alive. Here’s to the next 55 years!

More information about performances and events can be found on our website.

¹“Tanzln“ – Dialect for dances

²„Kathrein sperrt in Tonz ein“ – An old saying in South Tyrol that means: On St. Catherine’s Day, November 25th, the dance year traditionally ends. After that, no more public dancing should take place until after Lent (with the exception of Carnival).

³„hoagl“ – Dialect for delicate

⁴„Fokeltonz“ – A traditional folk dance with burning torches, performed in South Tyrol on festive occasions such as Advent or the Feast of the Sacred Heart. It represents community, light, and living traditions.

⁵„Volkstonz – Des war eps für mi!“ – Loosely translated from the dialect: Folk dancing – that would be something for me!

(Text from Anna Frötscher)

May 2025