photo : Anthony Easton
As in many places on May 1st, sleepy little Stadl an der Mur will come alive with music and merriment. But it will also have an added extra – the prestigious Phillipi-Markt!
What is the Phillipi – Markt?
On May 1st – known as Labour Day in Austria – a traditional market is held in many towns and villages, including the sleepy little hamlet of Stadl an der Mur. It is a joyous occasion with live ‘Brass Bands’; lots of fun and entertainment; and plenty of food and drink for visitors.
In Stadl, the starting place of the Market is the “Gasthof Murtalerhof ” (a local hotel) right in the centre of the village near the mighty Mur river.
Origins of the Phillipi -Market
Phillipi was an ancient city in Macedonia, an area that included parts of Eastern Europe that we now know as the Balkans, including Serbia and Kosovo. It was established in 356 BC by Phillip ΙΙ, a Greek King who expanded his empire and for his troubles was assassinated by one of his own bodyguards!
Interestingly, Macedonia was also a bit ahead of the times in relation to the position of women in society. They were held in higher esteem than anywhere else in the world – which may account for Phillip ΙΙ having been married 4 times. It was at the celebrations for the wedding of his daughter from his 4th marriage that he came to an untimely end.
The reasons for Phillip’s assassination are a bit sketchy, but seem to be mixed up with some unsavoury ‘goings on’ at Court. It is alleged that Phillip had a bit more than ‘amour courtois’ with his bodyguard. Then there was some flirting by Phillip with another prospective suitor, which turned sour. The ‘suitor’ decided to get his own back and set up a hot date with the bodyguard; got him drunk; then raped him!
Understandably, the bodyguard wasn’t very happy about this and thereafter plotted his revenge against Phillip who had been the instigator of this love triangle. And as they say – the rest is history!
An interesting idea – was Philip’s penchant for marriage actually a disguise for his homosexual inclinations? Could the demise of his marriages have been because of his philandering with other men?
Historical relevance
You may be wondering what all this has got to do with a market in Stadl on May 1st. Well, it’s very simple really – not a lot!
Macedonia was in the area of Eastern Europe where the Ottoman Empire (the Turkish invaders of Austria) prevailed until 1878. With a bit of unilateral manouevering, the Austro-Hungarian Empire occupied provinces held by the Turks and so took over Macedonia and with it what remained of Phillipi. This was achieved because the Turks were engaged in a few ‘in-house’ squabbles and took their eye off what the Austrians and Hungarians were up to.
So from the 19th century, Phillipi became part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. And hence, there’s the connection with the Phillipi part of the market at Stadl – I think!
The Catholic Connection
Under the Austro-Hungarian Empire Macedonia would have been a predominantly Catholic country (in which case Phillip’s behaviour would not have been welcomed!). And as such, there would have been much celebration at Easter time in relation to the crucifixion of Christ; his resurrection; and 40 days after the resurrection when his body ascended to heaven.
These celebrations would have included the paschal feasts, which are movable festivities that occur during the Easter period and up to 40 days thereafter. Whilst I can’t be sure, my belief is that the Phillipi-Markt is one of these movable feasts.
Whatever the origins and history, the Stadl Phillipi-Markt is a whole bundle of fun and a great way to spend a day!
And especially so if you happen to be staying in this charming traditional rustic style chalet.
