Willkommen auf INCE-bruck!
09.19.2013 | HMMH |Sunday, September15, 2013
The understanding of Innsbruck that many Americans of my generation have begins and ends with the 1976 Winter Olympics: Franz Klammer, Jim McKay, and Dorothy Hammil (yup, I had her famous wedge haircut).
Didn’t think much of it again until I was invited to speak at the 2013 Internoise Conference. So here I am, getting ready to attend the “Opening Ceremonies”, after spending a day as tourist. I’d recommend:
- Tiroler Volkskunstmuseum (Tyrolean Regional Heritage Museum): features a collection of folk art and displays of Austrian living in the 15th-18th century. I was most intrigued by a current exhibition entitled “Dreck” (Dirt), which focused on cleanliness and hygiene as a social ideal (indeed, teutonic fastidiousness with hygiene was something I noticed upon my first visit to Austria, when most toilets were still of the “shelf toilet” variety).
- Aldstadt: the Old Town, with pretty pastel buildings, Alps in the background, and lots of touristy shops, in case you’re in need of some new leiderhosen.
- Theresienkirche: at the top of a mountain, in the “Hunger District”. The church has several frescoes by Max Weiler, including this one depicting Tyroleans at the crucifixion:
More later. When the action starts.