VON FENGGEN UND TATZELWÜRMERN
- 2024
- ALPENHOF OBEREGG
- PEOPLE IN RESIDENCY
During the month of July 2024 at Alpenhof Oberegg I was looking for traces of these magical beings and researching their appearance, role and significance. The result is a 6-course meal inspired by a creature and served in a collective table setting, accompanied by audios and the summery surroundings of the Alps.
AMUSE BOUCHE
Salige are herbalists, helpful and are often described as saviors of nature and wildlife, as they oppose patriarchal farming methods and punish the non-essential hunting of animals. When encountering the Salige, one should offer them white food and drink to gain their blessing. They give advice on the use of herbs or the production of butter and cheese and often give gifts, including in the form of bread, which is said to bring good luck to those who cherish it.
This “lucky bread” becomes the protagonist of this first course: pleasantly sweet with a pinch of ice and snow, to be experienced as the white food of the Saligen blessing.
MILK BRIOCHE
CAULIFLOWER
ELDERFLOWER
The Tatzelwurm, a 50 to 200-centimetre-long creature, is said to hatch from a black egg laid by a rooster that has previously incubated in lonely waters. It is aggressive and dangerous, attacking animals as well as humans. In 1935, the Tatzelwurm was spotted by Berlin photographer Balkin in Meiringen in the Aare Gorge, whereupon a multi-page report appeared in the “Berliner Illustrierte Zeitung”.
The genesis of the Tatzelwurm is depicted as an abandoned, “empty nest”: on the plate, like a crime scene photograph, is a cracked egg in an ice-cold cucumber soup surrounded by sour clover and chive caviar.
CUCUMBER
GREEN PEA
SOUR CLOVER
Züsler appear as fiery ghosts, usually in the form of a glowing skeleton or a burning ball of fire. They are souls who have sinned in life and are now atoning for their transgressions as walking purgatories. Everything they touch immediately burns and smokes. As they seek redemption, they behave kindly towards people and illuminate dark paths with their burning bodies. A simple “Vergelt's Gott” can redeem the Züsler.
Was there a Züsler here a moment ago? The scorched landscape certainly suggests so: A coal-black carcass with stewed root vegetables.
BEETROOT
CARROT
COAL
MAIN DISH
Waldfrauen are usually well-meaning nature spirits who inhabit moss beds or tree roots in the dense forest. They are helpful and assist people with work in the house and barn. They are also said to be able to foresee the future. In return, they like to nibble on countless dishes such as doughnuts, dumplings and Knödel. It is also often said that leftovers on the outside of bowls and plates are intended for the wood women.
The main course is the forest women's beloved ‘favorite dish’. Freshly prepared and served in their favorite environment: the forest.
KNÖDEL
PINE
RIBWORT
DESSERT
Fenggen are kind, helpful and herb-loving creatures. At the time when the plague was rampant in Switzerland, it was observed that no Fengg was ever affected. This led to the conclusion that the Fenggen must have secret recipes for health and recovery. Under the influence of wine, Fenggen become talkative and sometimes let people partake of one or two arcanums. If you meet the Fenggen in a friendly and well-meaning manner, fresh blueberries follow as a thank you.
The blueberries given by the Fenggen sink into the red wine and present themselves as ‘Schwipsbeeren’ in a sweet and sour tart.
RED WINE
BLUEBERRY
ARCANUM
DESSERT
The Mahrt reaches its victims at night through cracks and keyholes, often disguised as a needle or smoke, causing them to sleep badly, have difficulty breathing or even nightmares, often of an erotic nature, which it causes by “moortrieden”. By closing the opening through which the Mahrt enters the room, it is caught. Calling out her name can also end the visit prematurely.
From hazy and frothy to concrete and clear: cherry and nettle seeds have an aphrodisiac effect, but the calming effect of camomile should disempower them, hopefully... “Sweet dreams!”
CHERRY
NETTLE SEED
CAMOMILE
PROCESS
Photos, Audios, Texts: Laura Haensler
Voice: Katharina Heissenhuber