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City Highlights

My Christmas Wishes

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Crazy Christmas Krampus

7 December 2009

Salzburg,

Spotted by Mlapenta

Overall rating:

out of 3 ratings

Report style: Ridiculous

Many associate Christmas time with peace, joy, warmth, and love but for one day in Austria Christmas cheer is replaced with Christmas fear. On December 5th the Christmas Krampus roam the adventmaerkte all over Austria beating whoever comes into their path. The word Krampus comes from the old German word “claw”.

According to ancient German folklore, the Krampus were the opposite of St. Nick, giving punishment to those children who were on the “naughty” list. Different beatings included being whipped with a birch rod, being hit with chains, or even being put into a sack and thrown into the river.

Around the mid 19th century the Church intervened and toned down the Christmas Krampus. They do still come out; Salzburg has a number of Krampus clubs. I personally experienced the Krampus in Gaming, Austria a few years back. It was very scary and resulted in me nearly getting trampled while trying to get away from this nightmarish creature.

The Krampus do deserve some applause for their costumes, they are very detailed, realistic and scary as Hell. This is one Christmas tradition you have to see to believe, check out the youtube video, it is a safe way to experience this Christmas tradition.

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