Salzburg Hans Wurst performer Johannes Franz dies at 70

Johannes Rupert Franz, who played the traditional fool character Hans Wurst at Salzburg’s Rupertikirtag for nearly three decades, died on Friday in his home community of Niedernsill in the Pinzgau region, ORF reports. He was 70.

Franz had portrayed the popular character at the annual event since 1998. Known for his cheerful manner, Hans Wurst draws many visitors. Franz had faced recurring health problems in recent years.

A father of three, Franz was devoted to preserving folk traditions. The Hans Wurst character dates back to the High Middle Ages and featured in sword dances. It remains a central figure in Salzburg’s historic Bindertanz, a guild dance performed by barrel makers. At fairs, the character once accompanied quacks and doctors, entertaining crowds with comic antics.