Autor:
Fatih Özçelik
Translation: John Christensen

„Tschingolar and Karrenzieher“

Punkt 15: „Tschingolar and Karrenzieher“

The so-called “South Tyrolean housing estates” were some of the biggest residential estate projects in Dornbirn. With large open areas, interesting views and well-planned buildings, the estates offered high-quality housing and had an almost village-like structure.

The life stories of the residents, on the other hand, were characterized by “deep despair and inhumane conflicts to the point of mental torment.” According to the plans of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, the German-speaking population of South Tyrol was to be brought “home to the German Reich”. Fear of the fascist regime of the “Duce”, economic and social despair, as well as intense propaganda by the Nazis induced a majority of the South Tyrolean population to opt for Hitler’s "Greater Germany". The buildings in Dornbirn, along with those in Bregenz, were among the first, whose construction already began in 1939. Building in the remaining cities and the bigger villages followed soon after. 600 apartments, spread over 122 buildings and 4 housing estates, were built in Dornbirn alone. After World War II, the approximately 2,000 people from South Tyrol made up about 10% of Dornbirn’s population. As far as integration was concerned, they had problems similar to those of the immigrants from inner Austria and the foreign guest workers. Terms like “Tschingolar” and “Karrenzieher” (literally: someone who pulls a cart) were common derogatory terms for South Tyrolean immigrants. The families from South Tyrol had access to modern housing, by the standards of the time. Their lives, however, were dictated by the Nazi government. The men were drafted for military service immediately and the women had to substitute for the men in the industry. An old woman from South Tyrol remembers how she was picked up from the reception camp in Innsbruck the day after her arrival and sent to work in the textile industry: “We weren’t asked.” Many families in Dornbirn still have a surname that originated in South Tyrol: Auer, Ausserhofer, Baldessari, Bampi, Bertignoll, Bonell, Benvecchio, Dalpalu, De Gasperi, Detomaso, Gabrielli, Gamper, Gruber, Gutgsell, Hafner, Innerkofler, Insam, Kaneider, Kapeller, Kerer, Kuen, Leitner, Micheli, Mitterer, Mitterhofer, Mitterrutzner, Nicolussi, Nidermair, Oberegger, Oberhuber, Oberlechner, Peer, Prantl, Putzer, Rautscher, Schenk, Schwarz, Scrinzi, Stecher, Stocker, Tabarelli, Thaler, Trenkwalder, Untermarzoner, Urthaler, Valersi, Vigl, Vikoler, Vinante, Volgger, Wieser, …

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Translation: Begging Nuisance The town of Lustenau filed a complaint alleging that South Tyrolean children, in some cases adults as well, were flocking from Dornbirn to Lustenau in large numbers and going from house to house to beg for potatoes and fruits. The illegality of such acts is hereby called to attention ,and fair warning is given, that patrols will from now on put an end to this mischief. All persons concerned can expect a lawsuit and punishment. The mayor: Dr. G. A. Moosbrugger