Day 31-32: Tyrolean hospitality

Since two days we are skiing in one of my favourite provinces of Italy, Sud-Tyrol. Until 1917, this province was part of the Austro-Hungarian princely County of Tyrol, but was then given to Italy as an incentive to enter the war on their side. During the rise of fascism, the German language was abolished, German teaching was forbidden and German newspapers were censored (except for the fascist newspaper called the Alpenzeitung).  Despite the political turmoil of the last century, the south-Tyroleans have managed to keep their identity, their culture, and their traditions and they are one of the richest provinces in the European Union.

I noticed that in South Tyrol there is a traditional culture of living with farm animals and from speaking to various farmers, they only have small to medium-sized farms and the animals live mainly outside on the fields for as long as the weather permits. Basically, they go back indoors at the end of the autumn, before the first snowfalls and that is a moment of celebration, a century-old tradition. 

The unconditional generosity and kindness of people from south Tyrol are exceptional. In the last two days, we have been skiing in Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) and we were guests at Hotel Florian, a highly requested hotel, in the busiest week of the ski season. The family could have easily sold that room for a lot of money (as all the hotels were sold out) but decided to offer it to us instead. 

Mrs. Thomaseth, owner of this wonderful hotel

The next morning we had a photo shoot for the local press at the Alpe di Siusi Tourist Board and after our meeting with them, the tourist office called me to say that the Tourist Board of Alpe di Siusi had decided to financially support the realisation of our documentary of the pigs! They didn't ask us for publicity in return, they didn't actually seem to care about that, they simply care about the cause.  

The chairman of the tourist board, Mr. Kurt Malfertheiner wanted to meet us personally to hear more about our trip and invited us to have lunch at his hotel, Hotel Ritsch (recommended), which is located at the end of a beautiful ski piste with stunning views. Mr. Malfertheimer said that it is important that we respect our animals and that we offer them a dignified life.  

Mr. Kurt Malfertheimer, Chairman of the Tourist Board Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm)

As Mirko is officially THE most famous pig in Italy, he attracts a lot of extraordinary people. Also in Alpe di Siusi, he had a very special visitor who came all the way to our hotel to meet him. This time it was an Italian Olympic medal winner Karin Moroder, who decided to run the Medoc marathon with us in September: -)  

Olympic medal winner (cross country skiing): Karen Moroder

And a bit of weather on the way to keep us fresh and awake: -)

Only through education, we can put an end to intensive farming and together we will!!! We are raising 10 Euros for every kilometre we ski, which will be used to make a documentary about pigs. Please help us to realise this documentary and make the world a place without intensive farming!

You can support us via Tikkie or via House of Animals Paypal Account
Thank you 🐷

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