Neptune from Lake Mondsee: "Children's shining eyes are the big thank you"
Today, at the age of 63, he fulfils a completely different but equally important role there: as Neptune, who emerges from the icy Mondsee lake during the traditional Christmas tree dipping, he delights many children with small gifts every year.
"I didn't become Neptune for any particular reason. I was simply appointed a good 20 years ago. And I've been doing it year after year ever since." He has had the necessary tools for this for a long time: a rescue licence and a diving certificate.
His memories of the many dives at the end of Advent are varied: "Sometimes it rained like hell, the torches were all out when I got out of the water. That was not so great. But the best thing every year is seeing the children's eyes when I get out of the lake with the illuminated Christmas tree. And when it snows, it's an impressive sight," he says. Of course, this deserves to be celebrated: "After the Christmas tree dive, we always sit together - the water rescue team has a Christmas party afterwards and we toast to a successful event."
Torchlightprocession from the basilica to the lake
Every year on the last Saturday before Christmas, the swimmers arrive at the market square with their equipment at 6 p.m. and then join visitors to the Advent market in a torchlight procession to the lake. There, the divers of the water rescue team plunge into the icy waters of Lake Mondsee and create an impressive picture with their torches. As a crowning finale, a brightly lit Christmas tree appears from the depths of the lake, accompanied by its guardian Neptune. He emerges from the cold water with a basket full of presents and brings joy to the children. Steinbichler: "We have the wives of our club members to thank for the little presents - every year they bake gingerbread in the bakery at the Obauer bakery."
We may have Neptune himself to thank for the good winter weather at this year's Christmas tree dipping. Because he also has wishes for the Christ Child: "Good weather for the Christmas tree diving and that I can do all this for as long as possible."
Further programme information for the last Advent weekend at www.mondsee.at/advent
written by Andrea Vitzthum
Service
Tourism association Mondsee-IrrseeDr. Franz Müller Str. 3
5310 Mondsee
Phone +43 6232 2270
Fax machine +43 6232 2270-22
E-Mail info@mondsee.at
Web mondsee.salzkammergut.at/en
