Fight Club Tirol

THE BATTLE AT BERGISELIN
Tyrolean Marksmen vs. Women with Rifles

Since time immemorial (that is, since 1809), there have been no female members in the Tyrolean Riflemen. That could have changed in January 2026, but it didn’t. 86.96 percent of the Riflemen voted against allowing women to carry rifles. The election result sparked a media firestorm and made headlines far beyond Tyrol’s borders. It was even reported in Vienna: “The Tyrolean marksmen are celebrating their first victory since the Battle of Bergisel. With an overwhelming majority, they decisively repelled the insidious attack on equality. The enemy—the 21st century—was successfully pushed back behind the Arlberg.” (Die Tagespresse) 
The Schützenbund found the unexpected publicity far from amusing and countered with a clarification: They had not voted against women, but in favor of tradition—that is, in favor of traditional gender roles as part of the cultural heritage, the preservation and cultivation of which are among the Schützen’s core tasks. 

The backlash is over, and the heated debate has long since cooled down. What remains are the burning questions: Do we want equality in all areas of life? Is the gender gap legitimate if it’s part of our customs? Do we need such customs? And which hand should a woman use to pour schnapps when she’s holding a gun? 

These and other questions will be discussed at Fight Club Tirol by: Dr. Alexandra Weiss, political scientist and gender equality expert; Julia Jenewein, cultural worker and member of the Schützinnenkompanie International; Andreas Navratil, art collector and CEO of the Navratil Foundation for Ordinary Tyrolean Folk Culture with a special focus on Alpine sniper soldiers and paramilitary alcohol-delivery girls.