Every year at
Prato dello Stelvio/Prad am Stilfserjoch, a ceremony takes place that is unique in the entire Alps. We're talking about the traditional
masked ball (the Maschgertanz),
where dashing, highly spirited couples donning carnival masks go
dancing from one tavern to another with precisely choreographed steps
while making fun of anyone they happen to encounter along the way.
As soon as the masked dancers enter a tavern, the "Bajaz" (a
sort of clown) inaugurates the performance. Dressed in a chequered suit,
white collar and pointed hat adorned with colored ribbons and flowers,
he waves a stick in time to the music, usually played on an accordion.
There are eight masked couples standing in the wings, waiting for their
turn to perform – but they are all men dressed up as men and women! The
couples are dressed to represent couples from different social strata
going from the 'gentleman and lady' who open the show, to what could be
termed as 'the tough and his wench' (Zoch und Pfott), dressed in rags
representing 'fertility'.