Because the mountains play a massive roll in Tyrol’s Zugspitz Arena, they are often at the centre of attention when it comes to special events. During the summer solstice, the breath-taking mountain peaks all around the Zugspitze, the Wetterstein and Ammer range, Lechtal Alps and the Mieminger chain are the ‘top stars’ in a perfect production. Even in pre-historic times, the mountains where held to be the seats of the gods and at the same time a source of danger – just like fire which gives life and takes life away.

Setting fires alight on the mountains is an old tradition in the Alps, a tradition which is upheld even today. But what goes up ‘in flames’ in Tyrol’s Zugspitz Arena – or more precisely, in the 360° basin around Ehrwald, Lermoos and Biberwier – is truly unique.

For the mountain fires (21 June 2008) symbolic figures from mythology and faiths are formed from around 8,000 individual fires across the night skies. And because of their perfect productions, the ‘fire artists’ of Tyrol’s Zugspitz Arena are not only popular in Austria, they are also well known throughout the Alps. The audience too, is all fire and flame and full of anticipation when this year, when darkness descends images of Christ, crosses, deer, stags, praying and blessing hands flare up under the mountain peaks

• Pictures of 2008

For more information visit www.bergfeuer.at/ or www.bergfeuer-lermoos.at.tt