In January 2008, an ambitious new cultural association was founded in Hohenems. The association focuses on historical presentation (museum re-enactment) of the far from numerous Alamanni who probably settled in today’s region of Vorarlberg as early as the period 550 to ca. 610 AD.


The “Alamanni of Rhî-Ems” have dedicated themselves to a mixed pre-Christian and Christian presentation. “When Columbanus and Gallus came to the area that is now Vorarlberg, there were already early Christians among the Roman population – especially in Brigantium,” explains chairman Martin Stock.

A mixed presentation is warranted in view of the fact that the Bucinobantes Alamanni presented by this young association will have come into contact with Christians “before or during their long travels from the Frankish borderlands to the foothills of the Alps”.



In contrast with other groups, the “Alamanni of Rhî-Ems” reconstruct a clan with a perfectly conceivable past and development. Through a clan chief with his wife and younger brother, a foster son and a small entourage, the daily life of the Alamanni can be shown with a completely new quality.



Moreover, the “Alamanni of Rhî-Ems” have made a point of contacting several linguists from Switzerland and Germany, and are planning to include the oldest known Old High German dialects in their performances in the near future. A complex and exciting experiment!




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