Sauris Carnival – Der Zahrar Voschankh

The carnival that comes from afar

In Sauris, which in its ancient German dialect is called Zahre, the carnival is called Voschankh and is one of the oldest and most fascinating in the entire Alpine region. Sauris is a German-speaking linguistic island perched at over 1,200 meters in the Carnic Dolomites, where a community of German origin has preserved its language, rites, and masks for centuries. Der Zahrar Voschankh is the moment when this heritage manifests itself in all its archaic strength.

The masks: Rölar, Kheirar, and Riké

Three figures dominate the Sauris carnival. The Rölar, covered in soot and bells, is the one who opens the carnival and is the only character who shows his face: he goes from house to house announcing the festival. The Kheirar, the king of the carnival, wields a ceremonial broom with which he leads the processions and 'sweeps away winter'. The Riké, a splendid white mask with a lace veil, represents the arrival of spring. The wooden masks are hand-carved by local artisans, such as Hermann Plozzer, and passed down over time.

The Night of the Lanterns

The most evocative moment is the Night of the Lanterns: after the gathering of the masks, a procession winds for about 2.5 km along a forest path, lit only by the light of lanterns, from Sauris di Sopra to Sauris di Sotto. It is a silent and magical rite, which blends Germanic and Friulian traditions into a timeless experience.

A heritage nominated for UNESCO

The Sauris Carnival is part of the Archaic Dolomite Masked Traditions, nominated for intangible heritage status. The event is organized by the Sauris-Zahre Business Network with the support of the Municipality of Sauris and the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region.

Atmosphere

The mountain cold, the clang of bells, the flickering lanterns in the woods, and the wooden masks with ancient features: the Sauris Voschankh is an intense and authentic experience, among the most memorable of the Alpine carnivals.