One of the few of Austria's 30 known sword dances to be recorded in detail, this Miners' Guild dance was documented by Richard Wolfram in 1586. St Martin in Sulmtal is a mining centre and its flag bears the sign of the miner. Miners were specially permitted to carry weapons for protection due to the isolated locations of their mines. We were honoured by the presence of the St Martin dancers, who perform only on Whit Sunday and a few other special occasions. The ten dancers dress in traditional miners' clothes and perform with a harlequin character to a drum and flutes. Founded in 1974, the group aims to preserve traditional Styrian folk dance, songs and theatre, and has performed across Europe, the Far East and the USA.
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