Foto: Hans Hofer

Hans Haid (1938-2019) was an Austrian folklorist, dialect poet and activist who was committed to preserving and promoting Alpine culture and the environment throughout his life. Born and raised in the Ötztal region in Tyrol, he developed a close connection to his homeland and the people living there at an early age. This connection shaped both his professional and his artistic work.

Life and work

Hans Haid studied folklore, German studies and art history at the University of Innsbruck. After completing his studies, he worked as a teacher and at the same time dealt intensively with the regional culture and traditions of the Ötztal. His main focus was on recording and preserving the dialect, folk customs and traditional ways of life.

As a dialect poet, Haid published numerous volumes of poetry in which he focused on the language and life of the Alpine population. His poems are characterized by a deep connection to nature and a fine feeling for the nuances of the Alpine dialect. He succeeded in converting traditional forms of expression into a modern, poetic language.

Commitment to the environment

In addition to his work as a folklorist and poet, Hans Haid was a passionate environmental activist. He campaigned vehemently for the protection of Alpine landscapes and their biodiversity. In the 1970s, he campaigned against the expansion of hydroelectric power stations in the Alps and was a co-founder of the “Initiative Pro Ötztal”, which successfully campaigned against the construction of large power stations in the Ötztal. His environmental activities brought him recognition, but also resistance from economic and political interest groups.

Cultural projects and legacy

Hans Haid initiated and led numerous cultural projects, including the Ötztal Local History Museum and the “Ötztal Dialect Archive”. These institutions are dedicated to collecting, documenting and presenting regional culture and history. Through his work, Haid made a significant contribution to preserving the cultural heritage of the Ötztal and making it accessible to the public.

His commitment and artistic work have received numerous awards. He has received the Tyrolean State Prize for Art and the Austrian Nature Conservation Prize, among others. Hans Haid left behind a rich cultural legacy that lives on after his death and serves as a source of inspiration for future generations.

Final words

Hans Haid was an outstanding personality who knew how to preserve and promote the traditions and language of his homeland in a contemporary and artistically sophisticated way. His commitment to the environment and the cultural identity of the Ötztal makes him an important representative of Alpine culture and a role model for the active protection of nature and tradition.

2012 on the occasion of the Pro Vita Alpina exhibition on the subject of sheep drives in the Ötztal Tourism information point in Ambach, Ötztal. The photo shows a group that Barbara Haid, daughter of Hans Haid, accompanied to the sheep drive in September 2012, as well as two journalists. Information about the vernissage of the exhibition: https://www.meinbezirk.at/imst/c-lokales/einladung-zur-ausstellungseroeffnung-schafe-sind-in-der-galerie-im-infopoint-des-oetztal-tourismus-in-ambach_a332965

Out and about with the sheep with Hans “Walmtaler” Niedermaier (d. 2023) (Photo: Alfward Farwer, 2009)
The photo beautifully documents how Hans Haid repeatedly went with the sheep and talked to the drivers and gathered information.