A surprise right after the apprenticeship graduation ceremony: Enya gets dunked!

04.07.26

Successfully completed apprenticeship with a grade of 5.1 🎉

She did it—and with an outstanding grade of 5.1! Our apprentice Enya has successfully completed her apprenticeship as a Media Technologist (specializing in print media technology).Throughout her apprenticeship, she enriched Gutenberg AG with her dedication, willingness to learn, and positive attitude. Naturally, we wanted to celebrate this special milestone in fitting style. However, anyone completing an apprenticeship in the printing industry cannot easily avoid an age-old tradition: *Gautschen*.

This year, it was supposed to be a real surprise 💪

In recent years, our apprentices usually had some inkling of when the traditional *Gautschen* ceremony might be in store for them. That is why we had to come up with something new this year. The plan: Enya would undergo the *Gautschen* ritual immediately after her apprenticeship graduation ceremony.

While Enya remained completely unaware, we were waiting secretly near the market square parking garage in Vaduz. Our company van was ready—and, of course, *Gautschmeister* Remo was already on hand. After the diploma presentation, Enya and her companion headed toward the parking area. To ensure nothing went wrong in the event of a spontaneous escape attempt, her companion moved a little closer as a precaution.

Suddenly, the Gautschmeister is standing in front of her 😵

By the time *Gautschmeister* Remo stood before her in full *Gautsch* regalia, it was clear: there was no escape. Enya was promptly bundled into our company van and secured to the partition grille with cable ties. Then, it was straight from Vaduz to Schaan.

Colleagues, relatives, and even the 1FLTV camera crew were already waiting for her arrival by the fountain at the Theater bus stop. And then things got wet—very wet. Dress, freshly styled hair, and all, Enya was unceremoniously deposited into the fountain by her trainer, Sahra. It was official: Enya had been *gegautscht*!

The 2026 Gautsch video is here! 🎬

You can best see how Enya reacted to the surprise, how the drive to Schaan went, and how she finally ended up in the fountain by watching the video.

Here you can watch the full 2026 Gautsch video on Instagram!

But what does "Gautschen" actually mean? 🤔

"Gautschen" is a centuries-old custom within the printing industry. It involves the symbolic cleansing of newly qualified professionals—following the completion of their apprenticeships—of the "sins of their training period." Traditionally, those who have just finished their training get thoroughly soaked; in our case, that means being dunked in the fountain! This custom has been part of the printing trade for centuries and is still observed in many companies today. As a printing company with a long tradition, Gutenberg AG naturally upholds this ritual as well.

And what’s next for Enya? ❓

We are especially pleased that Enya’s journey with Gutenberg AG doesn’t end with the completion of her apprenticeship. She is staying on as part of our team and will continue to provide valuable support. Dear Enya, we once again offer our sincere congratulations on your outstanding graduation and wish you great joy, exciting challenges, and many wonderful moments in your professional future. We look forward to continuing our work together—and we promise: we won’t be throwing you into a fountain again anytime soon.