Austrian Village of Fugging Chooses New Name to Shed Controversial Reputation
What’s in a name? Everything, according to the residents of the Austrian village formerly known as Fugging. Located north of Salzburg and east of the Inn River, the small village found itself in the international spotlight due to its name’s expletive meaning in English. With a population of only 106 people, Fugging became infamous for its moniker, prompting the villagers to make a significant decision. In 2021, the name of the village was officially changed, and here’s a closer look at the intriguing tale.
A Brief History of Fugging
Believed to have been inhabited since 1070, the village was allegedly named after a local nobleman named Adalpert von Vucckingen. Another theory claims that a Bavarian aristocrat named Focko founded the settlement in the sixth century. Adding to the confusion, a map from 1825 spells the village’s name as Fuking. It remains unclear when and how the spelling changed to a more explicit term, which eventually became a nuisance for the villagers.
Why Did the Villagers Opt for a Name Change?
The unusual name quickly turned into a tourist attraction, with visitors frequently stopping by to take photos with the village’s signposts. Unfortunately, this enthusiasm took a negative turn when tourists began stealing the signs as souvenirs, leading to significant vandalism. The villagers grew increasingly concerned about the situation, and local authorities had to modify the signposts to make them theft-resistant. Despite their efforts, many signs went missing, prompting the village to take drastic action. In 2018, the mayor of Tarsdorf, Andrea Holzner, confirmed that the residents had had enough of visitors and their bad jokes, and officially announced the decision to rename the village.
Influence in Media and Pop Culture
The former name of the village, Fugging, became well-known not only for its controversial meaning but also for its appearances in literature and media. Novelist Kurt Palm featured the village in a book that was later adapted into the film Bad Fugging. Additionally, the village made an appearance in a 2016 episode of Jeremy Clarkson’s popular Amazon Prime series, The Grand Tour. Interestingly, there was a failed campaign to change the village’s name back in 2004, but it wasn’t until 2018 that the efforts to rename the village were successful.
In the end, the residents of Fugging decided that leaving their controversial past behind was the best course of action. By embracing a new name, the village hopes to attract attention for its beauty, history, and culture rather than its infamous moniker. As the residents embark on this fresh chapter, it remains to be seen how the world will respond to the charming Austrian village that has shed its controversial identity.
