When Hons Petutschnig takes to the stage in a blue work coat, red cap and wellies, the event halls are fully booked. At the latest when he demonstratively sets down the sledgehammer he brought with him on stage, the mixed-age audience cheers. Petutschnig talks on stage about his life as a farmer. He doesn't hold back with criticism and sometimes denounces a few grievances.
But Hons Petutschnig doesn't actually exist. On stage is Villach-born Wolfgang Feistritzer, who has embodied the character of the grumpy farmer since 2013. His portrayal is very popular on social media. His videos on YouTube, Tiktok and Co. have tens of thousands of views. Incidentally, the cabaret artist, who was born in 1978, knows very well what he is talking about. After all, he is an organic farmer himself and knows the concerns of farmers.
Before a performance, Feistritzer took the time to talk to me about his life and his passions.
In one of your programs, you talk about what a tough guy you were as a child. After all, you drank cocoa with a skin five centimetres thick. you drank. But not much else is known about your childhood. Could you tell me a second anecdote from your youth?
I'm a child of the eighties, we spent a lot of time outdoors. Back then we had a farm with milk deliveries and fattening animals. Everything here was pastureland. The cows were let out to graze in the morning and they came home voluntarily at around four o'clock. Once there was a flood and they didn't come back. So we went out and the water almost swept us away because it was so powerful. I actually grew up quite normally and always helped out on the farm.
What was your favorite task?
Dealing with the animals. I've always liked that. I really liked the calves. It was always the children's work and looking after kittens. The classics.
You studied philosophy for some time...
Yes, but that was only for a very short time. I went through a phase where I didn't really know what to do next. My brother-in-law studied philosophy and I tried that too. After just a few weeks, it was over because I got the opportunity to work in a surveying office. I slipped into it and worked as a surveyor.
But from surveyor to cabaret artist is a quantum leap.
I was already doing theater at the same time, I was active in an amateur theater for two years after school. I was already interested in cabaret then. That was in the 90s. Back then, people liked to watch video tapes of other cabaret artists and I liked that and that's how I got into it. That happened at the same time as the surveying office.
Do you have a favorite comedian at the moment?
I watch relatively little of other people's work because I'm simply afraid that it will rub off on me and I'll unintentionally use something from someone else's program years later. But I do like to watch German comedians from time to time, I also like Polt very much. In the summer I watched Helge Schneider, right across the vegetable garden. Felix Lobrecht is good, but I'm not a real "fanboy".
You're on tour a lot and you're also regularly seen on social media. Do you still have time to work as an organic farmer yourself?
Yes, it is. It's a relatively small farm. We currently have 10 cows and two Angus bulls.
You sing too, and very successfully. The 15 Steyr has triple platinum. Congratulations!
Thank you! That's how it turned out. Around 2017 I rewrote "Atemlos" by Helene Fischer and it went down well. The 15er Steyrer was originally slower, but then it became the disco version. It goes down well with the youngsters and I enjoy writing the lyrics. Rewriting well-known songs with lyrics that suit me. I don't see myself as a good singer, but the young audience really likes it.
Because we were at the 15 Steyr - do you have one?
We have an old one at home. It must be a 1961 model, my grandpa bought it. It was our first tractor. As far as I remember, my grandpa bought it together with a neighbor. He's still driving it. To be honest, I feel a bit guilty when I look at the other tractors in the area and see how nicely they've been refurbished. It would need a new paint job. I'll probably tackle that this winter.
With a treasure like this from the 1960s, taking part in the Tractor World Championships would be a great idea. You drive up the Großglockner with vintage tractors.
The Tractor World Cup? I didn't notice it at all. And it's not that far away from me. It passed me by. Maybe I'll go along next year.
The figure of Petutschnig with the sledgehammer probably symbolizes "hammering in, demanding a change"?
In the early days, Petutschnig was a bit faster and rougher in his speech. I've always enjoyed playing roles and the character is a mixture of the different farmers we have. He gives me the opportunity to address some of the things that go wrong in everyday life or in politics.
At least since your Red Bull - milk comparison, you have been the mouthpiece of the farmers. Do farmers also approach you directly and ask you to address one topic or another?
Yes, it happens again and again. Just recently, I thought about re-releasing this very commercial. The clip is already more than ten years old and many people no longer know it at all. In the meantime, however, Red Bull has become a "loved brand". Back then, when I made the video twelve years ago, everyone agreed with me. In the meantime, Red Bull 's sales curve is rising steeply and the company is doing a lot for Austria.
Have you already gotten into trouble because of your critical comments?
Not directly. But you can tell that some things weren't so well received. Maybe I would have played more galas if I hadn't said this or that. I've been told through the grapevine that I didn't do myself any favors professionally with some of the things I said. But it wasn't anything serious that would have caused me sleepless nights.
On social media, you immediately have a shitstorm.
Yes, you have to be used to that. But I also keep that within reasonable limits. Every now and then I get comments from environmental organizations or vegans, but you have to get over it.
Are you still nervous before performances?
But of course. A healthy dose of stage fright is simply part of it.
Do you still have time for any hobbies besides performing and being on the Internet?
Yes, my hobbies are farming, family and watching a bit of soccer. It's a bit difficult to find the time. The stage and social media take up a lot of time. I definitely don't have an eight-hour day.
Do you have any experience on the soccer field?
I played as a defender as a teenager. I hit the ball hard straight away.
Is there anything people don't know about you? Are you perhaps a good cook?
I can already cook a bit. Spaghetti sauces are my specialty. Spicy dishes are generally quite good. What I can't do is bake. That's not my specialty. Roast pork. Home cooking. However, I wouldn't be able to take part in "The Perfect Dinner".
Thank you very much for your time and the interview!
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Source:
Interview with Mr. Wolfgang Feistritzer in Ried im Innkreis on October 30, 2025
Photos: Ingrid Müller
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