ÖGA Prize 2006: Overview with a Focus on Agricultural Sociology

Mag. Christoph Kirchengast:
“On Alpine Pastures – Social and Cultural Anthropological Considerations of Alpine Farming in Austria”

Alpine pastures are, on the one hand (in their "original" function), materially existing sites of agricultural work, and, on the other hand, complex, virtual places that are associated with a wide variety of (sociocultural) meanings. These two dimensions are closely intertwined and can be understood, at least in part, from the history of the cultural management of the Alps in Austria, the symbiotic intertwining of agriculture and tourism on Alpine pastures, and the (correlated) role of the Alpine pasture as an iconic symbol of home. The research questions guiding this work are:

– How and in which areas do supra-regional and global developments and processes of change impact the practical management of Alpine pastures?

– What role do Alpine pastures play in Austrian society – what social value do Alpine pastures have in Austria?

– What is the personal connection between farmers and their alpine pastures beyond economic factors? Or: How is the sentimental value of alpine pastures defined for their farmers?

– What are the interrelations between the social value of alpine pastures and the sentimental value of alpine pastures for farmers?

Award-winning work available for download: Über Almen (‘About Alpine Pastures’) _de