Upper Austrian groups win top prizes at Alpine folk music contest

Six Upper Austrian groups won awards at the Alpine Folk Music Competition in Innsbruck, with two receiving the contest’s highest prize. ORF reported that 11 groups from the state took part.

Family group Familienmusik Klein and the ensemble Trifarbig received the Herma-Haselsteiner Prize, the competition’s top honour. Two groups from Upper Austria also secured performance slots at the festival’s gala evening at Congress Innsbruck.

The other award-winning Upper Austrian acts were Powidl Partie, Zupft wia Zogn, Finstermooser Hausmusi and Siccardsburger Dreigesang. Powidl Partie was discovered at this year’s ORF Upper Austria Musikantentag.

Held every two years, the four-day competition brings together young folk music and singing groups from across the Alpine region. Participants can also perform at other events, including a folk dance festival and an ORF television service. Competition director Peter Margreiter said twice as many groups from Upper Austria attended this year as two years ago. The next contest in Innsbruck is scheduled for 2028.