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The country is celebrating its 300th anniversary: Today is the 300th anniversary of the founding of Liechtenstein. We meet Martha Buhler from Triesenberg. Once an Olympic competitor for the principality, now the button pope. A conversation about secret recipes, Liechtenstein clichés and hay bales on the ski slopes.
Former Liechtenstein skier Martha Bühler still manages to do this today. © FM1Today/Dario Cantini
On the white ski leaning against the wall next to the entrance door is written “Martha” in red letters. It was a dream day when I visited this Liechtenstein original in her apartment in Vaduz. Blue sky – snow-white mountains in the sunlight. A day worth going skiing. Martha Buller represented Liechtenstein at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble and the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo. In Sapporo, the 68-year-old finished tenth in the downhill and giant slalom events. For her achievements, she received a gold coin from the prince himself. We sat down at the table in the room and Martha Buller began to talk about what it was like on the slopes in the past in the most beautiful Triesenberg dialect.
Martha Bühler (starting at number 30) with Adolf Ogi in Sapporo, 15 years after he became a federal councillor. More images in the gallery. (Photo credit: FM1Today/Dario Cantini)
How did it feel to be the only woman in the Liechtenstein team at the time?
Of course, I was always the center of attention. And I was allowed to carry the flag into the stadium at both Winter Olympics. Of course, I am very proud to carry the flag of Liechtenstein.
If you could, you would still watch every ski race today. What has changed?
Material, of course. And safety. We only had a few bales of hay in the critical area. Luckily, there was a safety net today. The pace remained similar. We were driving about 120 kilometers per hour in Sapporo.
Do you still know Skier Martha today?
The older generation does, yes. People often say, “Ah, Martha Buhler – I remember you were a skier.” Just recently I got a letter from someone in Upper Austria who collects autographs and wanted one from me. I had to go and see in person if I still have one. 50 years later (laughs). But then I found it and sent it to him.
However, I am more famous for my Knöpfli. Even with the boys. After skiing, I trained as a caterer, ran a hotel for 20 years and ended up working at Knöpfli. There is no secret. I always use fresh ingredients, that’s the whole secret. I also give Knöpfli courses and prepare them directly at the events.
What would you rather be known for: as a conservative pope or as a ski racer?
(Laughs) I’d actually rather be a skier, but I’m not that good at it anymore. That’s why it’s okay if people call me “Knöpfli-Martha.”
Martha’s Knöpfli are the best in the country – many Liechtensteiners swear by them. (Image credit: FM1Today/Dario Cantini)
You also took part in the German TV show “Die Küchenschlacht” together with Knöpfli in 2013. How did that come about?
I always saw the show on TV and thought, “I could actually be on this show.” Eventually, my children inspired me to sign up. But when I was standing in the studio in Hamburg, it suddenly occurred to me, “Oh my god, if only I hadn’t signed up – now the whole of Liechtenstein is watching. If I fail, I won’t be able to go back.” Fortunately I won the competition (laughs). The feedback came quickly. Former hotel guests from Germany called me and said, “We saw you on TV.”
Let’s talk about some Liechtenstein cliches. What do you listen to when you go out?
Most of the time you will be asked questions about money and banks. A lot of people think we don’t pay taxes. But that’s certainly not true. We pay taxes, but probably not as much as other countries. Of course, what impressed me the most was my Bagh dialect. It’s very different from the rest of the country.
For example, can you tell me why hardly anyone in Liechtenstein blinks when leaving a roundabout?
Blinking is a luxury (laughs). I can’t explain it any other way. I don’t blink myself, but I pay attention when you say that. You should blink, yes (laughs).
Do you call everyone by their first name, even with the prince?
No, I wouldn’t say you to the prince. Otherwise, to almost everyone, yes. This is normal in Liechtenstein. Unless you are not sure if the person you are looking at is from Liechtenstein, in which case you might say “you” again. But it’s not the case. Also, in the Bagh dialect we don’t know you at all, only you. Just like in the old days. That’s why I prefer to say you. You probably come from when we were young and everyone knew everyone. You wouldn’t think of saying someone’s name if they said his name and you knew at least his family.
How many of Liechtenstein’s nearly 40,000 residents do you know?
(Think) Forty thousand – it’s hard to say. I think half. Maybe a little less. So I probably know half of the Liechtensteiners who still live in the country. My son always says, “You can’t walk through Vaduz with you, you always stop and talk to people.” But that’s part of it. I’m a person who likes to be with people, who likes to talk.
Martha wrote her name on the skis herself – so they wouldn’t be so white. (Image: FM1Today/Dario Cantini)
Do you often meet princes?
Absolutely. I often saw members of the royal family in Vaduz. Once, when an American friend was visiting, we were hiking along the Fürstensteig. The American asked if he could meet the prince at the Fürstensteig. And promptly. At the next corner, we met the then-Prince Franz Joseph and his wife Gina. The American could not recover from this encounter and said that it was impossible for such a thing to happen in the United States.
Liechtenstein is now celebrating its 300th anniversary. You’re not leaving here, are you?
No, I won’t emigrate. I don’t even know where to go. I like it here, it’s my home. I’m going to stay here.
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