photo : Louise Docker
Breaking news from the Austrian Alps is that thieves have taken off with a field full of toxins. Could these be for use in the wonderful world of wizardry, or is there something even more sinister afoot in beautiful Burgenland?
Deutsch Jahrndorf
Austria’s easternmost municipality – the tiny town of Deutsch Jahrndorf with just 557 residents – has been the scene of a cruel crime in the past week. Not only is it a hiking, biking and horse riding area – now it’s a niche for nicking (my ‘olde English’ for stealing)!
Besides this quiet community – which dates back over 800 years to ancient history – being the country’s most eastern village and center for holiday activities, it’s also the easternmost community in Central Europe. Further east in fact than parts of the Czech Republic, Poland and other places that were formerly behind the Iron Curtain prior to the demise of communism. It lies close to the borders of Hungary and Slovakia.
Before the union of Hungary with Austria – when war was often waged between them – Deutsch Jahrdorf was was actually an Hungarian village. With the rise of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it became part the alpine area of Austria and there it has stayed, despite the dissolution of the dynasty of the House of Habsburg in 1918 following WWΙ.
The Dastardly Deed
Somewhere between Monday and Friday in the last week of August 2012, a potentially heinous crime was committed in this vacation hot spot. Sambucus nigra were nicked from a farmer’s field!
A species of Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) grown for use in the pharmaceutical industry, was snatched from under the owner’s nose. The hefty haul – a mere 11 tonnes – was spirited away leaving no trace of where it might have gone.
The plant has been used in medicines for hundreds of years, but it can also be a toxic killer. The leaves and twigs contain a cyanide-inducing substance which, if it builds up in the body, can be life-threatening. On a more reassuring note, however, the black berries from the bush cause no concern. They can be used to make cordial or elderflower syrup that many Austrians put on their pancakes instead of blueberries.
Harry Potter and the Elder Wood Wand
Lovers of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series will know that the most deadly of wizard weaponry was the Elder Wood Wand, which finally put paid to Lord Voldemort’s wicked ways. In the final book at the Battle of Hogwart’s, Voldemort tried to cast a killing curse on Harry not knowing that the Elder Wood Wand he was using, belonged to the young hero of the series.
The twist in the plot is that the wand only responds to a powerful person, unlike others that show a strong allegiance to their masters. The Elder Wood Wand has to be won from its current owner through wicked wizardry and then becomes the death stick servant of whichever evil force uses it. Voldemort thought he owned the wand and sought to use it to rid himself of his archenemy, Harry. But Voldemort’s sinful spell backfired and it killed him instead!
It’s probably no coincidence that J.K. Rowling chose the elder as the wood for this wicked wand. In folklore (in some areas), the elder is believed to be able to ward off witches. Others think that if burned the wickedness associated with this wood will cause witches to curse you.
The Hungarian and Slovakian Connection
Interesting to note, is that the toxic twigs of the elder tree are also used to make Fujara, Koncovka and other uniquely Slovakian flutes. And in Hungary the Farulya and similar musical instruments are made.
Mindful of the ongoing saga between Slovakia and Austria in relation to the cheese stuffed sausage so savoured by Austrian holiday-makers and locals alike, could the stealing of this haul of elderberry be another chapter in the covert war of these neighbouring countries?
Or has some wicked wizardry been at work…..
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