The Tyrolean identity
This is a concept that cannot be ignored in this alpine region, because it is the very cement of its existence! In North Tyrol and East Tyrol, the inhabitants, like Austrians in general, do not like to be confused with Germans, but they do not cultivate a sense of identity. The desire to belong to the same people is much less obvious than the desire to belong to a region. On the Italian side, the ethnic feeling is even stronger, since the South Tyroleans were placed under the political authority of Italy against their will following the defeat of 1918, having had to fight against the fascist policies of Italianization, and having acquired political autonomy through struggle. The will to annihilate the Germanic culture of the South Tyroleans during the Fascist era paradoxically reinforced the sense of identity of the inhabitants. They claim to be South Tyroleans first and foremost and proudly claim their status as an autonomous province. However, they do not deny their "Italianness": the majority of the inhabitants are bilingual (even trilingual in the regions where Ladin is spoken) and willingly switch from one idiom to another depending on who they are talking to. If the rectitude is all Germanic, the South Tyrolean will not go without his morning espresso !
The Tyrolean mentality
Tyroleans - from Austria, but also from South Tyrol for a majority of the population - are Germanic. In both the professional and private spheres, they like things to be clear, and punctuality and precision are appreciated. However, centuries of Habsburg rule in an empire with multiple communities (Slavic, Hungarian, Italian) have forged certain distinctive traits of the Tyrolean and Austrian mentality in general: they like to take their time, not to be rushed. The cuisine is one of the most obvious examples of this mix. The Tyrolean rigor is also due to the fact that the population is strongly Catholic and practicing. The Tyrolean gives an important place to the family and the number of free unions is lower than in France, even if the new generation is shaking up this state of affairs. Morals are free and homosexuality does not shock. In Austria, same-sex marriage has been allowed since January 2019, while adoption by a same-sex couple was already legalized in 2015. In Italy, on the other hand, while the civil union law for same-sex couples was passed in 2016, marriage and adoption are not allowed for them; only homoparental adoption, by the spouse of the same-sex parent, is accepted. On the other hand, the legislation on abortion is comparable to that of France.
Continuation of military service in Austria
Austria is one of the few European countries, like Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Switzerland, Norway and Greece, committed to military service. In a referendum in January 2013, Austrians voted 59.8 percent in favor of maintaining conscription. Military service lasts six months and involves 22,000 men each year. An alternative is available for those who would like to avoid it: a nine-month civic service.
School system
Schoolchildren in the Austrian Tyrol have no time off during the week. They study from Monday to Saturday, but in return their days are shorter. Classes start at 8 am and usually end around 1 pm. This system is now much debated, as it is no longer adapted to the rhythm of the working life of parents who cannot be available every afternoon. Since 1975, all public schools are mixed. Innsbruck is the main university town in the Austrian Tyrol. In South Tyrol, education is part of the secondary competences of the autonomous province of Bolzano, which means that the province has to conform to the Italian national system and has a limited capacity to intervene, which mainly concerns the organization of education according to the three language groups (Italian, German and Ladin). In Italy, school is compulsory until the age of 16. The educational system corresponds more or less to the scheme applied in France. Kindergarten is for 3-5 year olds, primary school is for 6-10 year olds and the equivalent of our middle school(scuola media), with an important final exam, is for 11-13 year olds. The high school(secondaria superiore) is divided into several sections. The classical and scientific sections last five years and are sanctioned by the equivalent of the baccalaureate(diploma di maturità). The technical section also lasts five years and leads to a technical baccalaureate(maturità tecnica). For higher education, the title of laurea (master's degree) is indispensable since there are no intermediate degrees.
Traditions that include textiles
The costume is worn everywhere: by waiters and waitresses in inns, in popular festivals, on stage by musicians, by ordinary citizens or even by some politicians... It is an external image of the Tyrolean alpine identity and is sometimes confused with the Bavarian, Swiss or other Austrian costumes. Its main features, for the men: a pantacourt which joins high socks dressed with thick mountain shoes on the feet; it is held by suspenders which are put over a shirt with small checks, red and white for example. If he wants to be elegant, the man will wear a hat, red or black, but not with a feather, unlike his Bavarian cousin. As for the woman, she usually wears a short or medium length skirt, gathered, with which the blouse is joined; or a dress of the same design with adjoining blouse and blouse parts. The blouse, often ample, white and gathered, with a square neckline and often not reaching the shoulders, is covered by a blouse with a very wide neckline, which is laced up in front, on the belly, below the breasts that it never covers. Tight and of dark color which contrasts with the blouse, it closes with a zipper in the back, lined with adjustable ribbons. An apron, usually white, is worn over the dress; often the apron and blouse are of the same fabric and pattern. White stockings are usually worn as a complement. The favorite colors of Tyroleans are red, pink and green, combined with white, beige or brown.
