Stepping into the basement of Lisl Steiner’s home in Mitterolang/Valdaora di Mezzo feels rather like entering a theatre collection, with the distinct sensation of having travelled back in time. The energetic and indefatigable woman has assembled an extraordinary archive of historical clothing and accessories, alongside furniture, photographs, household items and countless other objects. Anyone searching for tangible traces of bygone times is bound to discover a veritable treasure trove. Yet these objects are not hidden away in cupboards gathering dust. “Sigimair Lisl”, as everyone knows her, delights in sharing her remarkable repository on a wide variety of occasions, bringing a touch of nostalgia wherever she goes.
Born Lisl Neunhäuser in 1952, she is Olang through and through. This is where she saw the light of day, where she grew up, where she built her home and started a family, and where she continues to play a significant role in community life to this day. In fact, one almost gets the impression that whenever something is happening in the village, Lisl is already there. The word “standstill” simply does not seem to exist in her vocabulary, as this inexhaustible source of energy devotes herself enthusiastically to the most varied activities, in Olang and far beyond.
Life, however, has not always been easy for Lisl. Tragedy and hardship have played their part. At a very young age, Lisl and her four siblings lost their father in an accident in the woods; during her teenage years, they also lost their mother. Left orphaned, the years that followed were anything but easy. And yet nothing seems to have diminished her extraordinary love of life. Lisl radiates positivity, and her hearty laugh and smile are genuinely infectious.
Her home in the centre of Mitterolang, where she lives with her husband, reflects that same cheerful spirit. The couple have been married for more than fifty years, are parents to two grown-up children and have since become grandparents. Their large garden bursts with flowers and plants of every imaginable colour and variety – a true feast for the eyes. Lisl is passionate about plants and gardening, and from the garden's rich abundance she creates floral arrangements that she gives away on various occasions. She also crafts memorial candles to honour the deceased and enjoys handicrafts, DIY and decoration projects – artistic flair seems to flow naturally through everything she does.
It may be this very wellspring of creativity that has nourished the enthusiasm which she is known far beyond the village boundaries. Whenever historical costumes, traditional dresses or vintage accessories are required, her name is often the first to come to mind. Anyone knocking on Lisl’s door is unlikely to leave empty-handed: her remarkable archive contains virtually everything one could wish for. The basement is packed to the rafters, and even part of the garage serves as additional storage space. Trunks and wardrobes conceal genuine treasures: traditional costumes from the Pustertal valley and Bavaria, wedding dresses, elegant gowns and folk costumes, as well as hats, scarves, jewellery, underwear, antique bedsteads and prams, dolls, tableware and much more besides. It would be difficult to imagine anything that cannot be found there.
Yet it all began almost by chance. In 2007, the Olang Tourist Association approached Lisl and asked whether she would help prepare costumes for a historical parade. At the time, Olang hosted the so-called “Nostalgia Weeks”, events designed to introduce visitors to local traditions and culture. Lisl put her heart and soul into the project, and the response was immediate. What began as a single assignment soon developed into a lifelong devotion for collecting, one that would never leave her.
With great dedication, she began searching for historical objects in her childhood home, while relatives and friends also entrusted her with a variety of items. Over the years, she has gathered and preserved an astonishing number of objects that might otherwise, in all likelihood, have been lost forever. Among the most remarkable pieces is the traditional costume of her great-grandmother, dating back around two hundred years, whose apron alone weighs almost twelve kilograms.
Once this endeavour got underway, it proved invaluable on countless occasions. Since 2008, Lisl has been involved in organising the parade held during Mitterolang’s traditional September village fair. Brass bands, decorated floats and groups dressed in traditional costume bring one of the community’s most cherished annual events to life. Over the years, she has also contributed her organisational talent, particularly in matters of costume, to numerous other events: traditional costume parades, cultural initiatives throughout South Tyrol and beyond, tourism events and even television productions.
But what she holds most dear, beyond doubt, is her commitment to older people. Given her zest for life, it’s hardly surprising that music plays a special role in her life. Lisl enjoys singing and regularly brings joy to birthday celebrations and care homes, either alone or together with fellow enthusiasts, through lively and entertaining performances. From time to time, she also organises traditional costume shows for and with senior citizens, weaving together all the values that matter most to her: volunteering, creativity, companionship and a genuine joy for life.
Lisl is keenly aware that all these activities, as much as they are appreciated, demand a great deal of time and energy. Yet seeing a smile appear on the face of a visitor or fellow resident remains her greatest motivation. Behind her many passions lies an immense amount of work: devising new themes for historical parades and processions, continually sourcing costumes and accessories despite her already vast collection, finding missing pieces or adapting existing ones, organising performances and surprises, cataloguing and maintaining her archive, and much more.
And when Lisl finally finds a moment to herself, she enjoys browsing through the extensive archive of photographs and films she has gathered over the years. After all, a life this rich in experiences could hardly have produced anything less than an equally rich record, one that is certain to keep growing. As the old saying goes, “If you stand still, you fall backwards.” And standing still is something Lisl Steiner has absolutely no intention of doing.
