The Tyrolean identity
This is a notion that cannot be ignored in this Alpine region, for it is the very cement of its existence! The inhabitants of North and East Tyrol, like Austrians in general, don't like to be confused with Germans, but they don't cultivate an overriding sense of identity. The desire to belong to the same people is much less obvious than the desire to claim one's place in a region. On the Italian side, the sense of belonging is even stronger, as the South Tyroleans were placed under the political authority of Italy against their will following the defeat of 1918, had to fight against Fascist policies of Italianization, and had acquired political autonomy through struggle. The desire to annihilate the Germanic culture of the South Tyroleans during the Fascist era paradoxically strengthened their sense of identity. They claim to be South Tyroleans first and foremost, and proudly assert their status as an autonomous province. However, they do not deny their "Italianness": the majority of the population is bilingual (even trilingual in Ladin-speaking areas), and readily switches from one idiom to another depending on who is speaking to them. And while Germanic rectitude may be the order of the day, South Tyroleans won't want to miss their 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, we like things to be clear, and punctuality and precision are appreciated. And yet, centuries of Habsburg rule in an empire with multiple communities (Slavic, Hungarian, Italian) have forged certain distinctive traits in the Tyrolean and Austrian mentality in general: they like to take their time, not be rushed. Cuisine is a clear example of this mix. Tyrolean rigor also stems from the fact that the population is strongly Catholic and practicing. Tyroleans place great importance on the family, and the number of common-law unions is lower than in France, even if the new generation is shaking things up. Morals are free and homosexuality does not shock. In Austria, same-sex marriage has been authorized since January 2019, while adoption by a same-sex couple was already legalized in 2015. In Italy, on the other hand, although the law on civil union for homosexual couples was passed in 2016, marriage and adoption are not authorized for them; only homoparental adoption, by the spouse of the same-sex parent, is accepted. On the other hand, abortion legislation is comparable to that in France.
Continuation of military service in Austria
Like Cyprus, Switzerland and Greece, Austria is one of a handful of European countries committed to military service. In a referendum held in January 2013, 59.8% of Austrians voted in favor of maintaining conscription. Military service lasts six months and involves 22,000 men every year. An alternative is offered to 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 8am and generally finish around 1pm. This system is much debated today, as it is no longer adapted to the rhythm of the working lives of parents who cannot be available every afternoon. Since 1975, all state schools have been coeducational. 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 must conform to the Italian national system and has limited capacity for intervention, mainly in the organization of education according to the three language groups (Italian, German and Ladin). In Italy, school attendance is compulsory up to the age of 16. The education system corresponds more or less to that of France. Kindergarten is for 3-5 year-olds, primary school for 6-10 year-olds and the equivalent of our middle school(scuola media), with a major final exam, for 11-13 year-olds. High school(secondaria superiore) is divided into several sections. The classical and scientific sections last five years and culminate in the equivalent of the baccalaureate(diploma di maturità). The technical section also lasts five years and leads to a technical baccalaureate(maturità tecnica). As far as higher education is concerned, the title of laurea (master's degree) is essential, as there are no intermediate diplomas.
Traditions that include textiles
The costume is worn everywhere: by waiters and waitresses in inns, at folk festivals, on stage by musicians, by ordinary citizens and even by some politicians... An outward expression of Tyrol's Alpine identity, it is sometimes confused with Bavarian, Swiss or other Austrian costumes. For men, its main features are trousers that join high socks with thick mountain shoes on the feet, held in place by suspenders that are worn over a shirt with small checks, red and white for example. If elegance is important to him, the man will wear a hat, red or black, but not with a feather, unlike his Bavarian cousin. As for the woman, she generally wears a short or medium-length gathered skirt with which the blouse joins; or a dress of the same design with adjoining blouse and blouse sections. The blouse, often loose-fitting, white and gathered, with a square, notched neckline that often doesn't reach the shoulders, is covered by a blouse with a very wide neckline, which laces up at the front, on the stomach, below the breasts, which it never covers. Tight and darkly colored to contrast 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. Tyrolean women's favorite colors are red, pink and green, combined with white, beige or brown.
