Today is "Krampus Tag" - A very old tradition in Austria.
The Krampus or Percht is a mythical creature recognized
in the Alps. He accompanies the Nikolaus (St. Nicholas)
in the Christmas season, warning bad children, in contrast
to St. Nicholas, who gives gifts to good children.
Traditionally young men dress up as the Krampus in
Austria, Southern Bavaria and South Tyrol.
We don't wanna frighten you. For the children in Austria it's
quite normal to see them and they are looking forward to this
dark creatures. This evening the children will put their shoes
and boots at the window or outside of the door and hope for
a gift of Nikolaus. Bad children get according to the tradition
the "Rute" (a birch for whipping)...but no one really gets it.
Often the children find in their shoes a cute chocolate
Krampus and Nikolaus, mandarins and nuts.
The tradition has changed over the years. Today you will find
big Krampus Events and the maskes look more like monsters
we know from Horrormovies. We don't adjudge this.
It's quite normal that cultures and traditions change over
the years. Also when some people moans about the new trends -
Everyone has different tastes. Fact is that the art of
the mask carvers is still outstanding.
But we wanna show today here a harmless video
of Nikolaus with the Reingraben Pass Krampusse.
For more information:
http://winterbrauch.at
