Peter Kasper and Martin Mathies from the organic farm are happy to present their products
©est
The visit to the living crib was a complete success.
St Gallenkirch So that the wait for the Christkind doesn’t last so long, the organic farm Mathies invited for the first time to a cozy stop with Christmas punch and mulled cider. The numerous visitors were also able to get in the mood for the coming festival with other delicacies. This left the animals on the farm unimpressed by the situation. The visitors entered a living nativity scene. The sheep, cows, donkeys, even the hens were looking forward to the interesting encounters. Maybe it was like that in Bethlehem back then, just as peaceful, maybe it smelled of cows, oxen and donkeys in the barn with the Holy Family – we don’t know. Nevertheless – we could already dream of the big festival with a biblical ambience.
Marin Mathies breeds the Montafon Stone Sheep, a breed that is threatened with extinction. At the market he offered his own manufactured products, all made from sheep’s wool. In addition to the woolly four-legged friends, his farm also includes the Montafon Brown Swiss cows and donkeys Fernando and Ella, as well as the hens. “So that people get more connection to agriculture,” explains the organic farmer, who also teaches at the agricultural school. “Advent and Christmas is also a suitable time for farming. People can see what can be by the manger.” Also for his colleague Peter Kasper it is important that the animals are the center of attention. “It’s a wonderful event in Advent,” says Kasper, who is a professional social worker.
Christl Küng from Schruns – she is also godmother of the stone sheep “Fäggi, came with her husband and grandchildren, Nico, tina and Samuel into the stable. How happy the children were to be able to pet animals. The little ones also experience what the animals need and that the milk and food don’t just come from the supermarket.
In addition to all the many different animals, there were enchanting market stalls offering regional, agricultural treasures, exquisite handicrafts and homemade goods.
A whole repertoire of self-distilled schnapps from old fruit varieties such as “Hansabiara and Röteli pears” was praised Hubert Kessler from Tschagguns, who was a former post commander in Schruns. Products from the company’s own soap factory were also presented Ingrid and barbara from St. Gallenkirch. An atmospheric highlight were the illuminated Maisäß-Hüsli made of shingle wood Luggi Kessler. The creative Tschaggunser uses old shingles for this. The nativity figures in colored felted outfits from Thomas Kessler were also worth a look. Maria and Josef would have been very happy about that. The inlaid woodwork with the “barleycorn pattern” – this is an old Montafon craft, also presented Dorinaalso from Tschagguns as something unique. Ella and Birgit from the village, showed their beeswax candles, honey and home-made liqueurs to the visitors. Maria Stocker expressed her satisfaction with the good sales of her homemade sausages from her own farm. Rice Beatrice from Nüziders made angels and wreaths from driftwood from Lake Constance, as well as elegant angels made from folded sheet music paper, which were very well received. Also knitted from leftover wool for cold ears and feet, from Sybille Klinger fabricated, were very popular.
Provided against wintry temperatures John Storm and Fabian Kasper with punch, hot cider and raclette bread for the numerous visitors. In any case, the Bura Advent was a complete success for organic farmers Martin Mathies and Peter Kasper. We say a big “thank you” to our friends and patrons of agriculture and wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Perhaps the Christ Child will also put some exquisite gifts from the Mathies organic farm under the Christmas tree. EST
