South Tyrol 2015

On 3 June 2015, the International Kneipp Actions Days were opened in South Tyrol. It was the first time that the South Tyrolean Kneipp Association hosted this international, pan-European gathering of Kneipp and health advocates. “Join us within the walls of Neustift Monastery on the evening before and limber up for the action days “ was the motto of the pre-opening celebration organised by the two Kneipp health trainers Monika Engl und Helena Graf.

During the 4-day meeting, experts and all interested visitors enjoyed a broad range of topics related to health promotion according to Kneipp. The lecturers dealt with “Kneipp in communities, schools and child day care”, “Kneipp in nursing care”, “Kneipp in tourism”, and “Kneipp in the Traditional European Medicine”. On 5 June, wonderful hikes and excursions into the beautiful landscape invited the participants to discover the surrounding nature.

The “finals” took place in bright sun on the cathedral square in Brixen on 6 June. Kneipp treatments and exercises, Kneipp information stands, a Kneipp rally and entertainment programme for children were offered, rounded off by a fantastic array of healthy, homemade culinary delights. A special highlight was the world record attempt in knee pouring. Altogether, the closing festivity offered plenty of fun and excitement for the participants as well as for many tourists and guests who had heard of this happening or who happened to pass by. There was a great public attention and the Kneipp movement presented itself from its best side.

A large number of participants came from Germany. Many Kneipp state and regional associations had organised tour buses, other friends of the Kneipp movement preferred to travel on their own. You could see people from Baden-Wurtemberg, Bavaria, Brandenburg, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saarland and Thuringia.

Conclusion: The participants’ interest was remarkable – not only with regard to the method and philosophy of Kneipp, the different activities and initiatives but also with regard to the practical realisation of the International Kneipp-Action-Days 2015 by unpaid volunteers from the South Tyrolean Kneipp Association.