• croatiantimes.com
• romaniantimes.at
• salzburgtimes.at
• viennatimes.at
• austrianindependent.com

Today

• Vienna - VESCC English Catholic Mass
• Vienna - Unknown Underground
• Vienna - Cats
• Vienna - Andy Warhol
• Vienna - Laser Tag

04. 12. 09. - 16:00

• more Panorama news
• RSS Feed Panorama

04. 12. 09. - 16:00

Krampus and Nikolaus to visit Austria this weekend

By Lisa Chapman

Don’t be surprised if you see a terrifying two-metre devil beating young women and a Santa Claus-like figure doling out presents in Austria this weekend – it’s just the traditional "Nikolaus" celebration.

In Austria, 5 and 6 December are the Krampus and St Nicholas, or Nikolaus in German, feast days.

Krampus is a mythical devil who accompanies Saint Nicholas in various regions of the world during the Christmas season. He is often portrayed as a terrifying devil carrying a huge stick or a whip with which to beat bad children.

In Alpine regions, Krampus is represented by a demon-like creature accompanying Saint Nicholas. He gives gifts to good children, while Krampus gives warnings and punishments to bad children.

Traditionally, young men dress up as Krampus during the first two weeks of December, particularly on the evening of 5 December, and roam the streets frightening children and women with rusty chains and bells.

In some rural areas, the tradition also includes Krampus beating people with sticks, especially girls and young women.

Modern Krampus costumes consist of Larve (wooden masks), sheep's skin, and horns. Masks are handcrafted with great skill, and many younger adults in rural communities compete in Krampus events.

Krampus is also often a feature of traditional "Perchten" processions. The word "Perchten" originally referred to female masks worn by the entourage of "Frau Perchta," an ancient goddess, during processions during the last week of December and the first week of January.

Perchten are associated with mid-winter and the embodiment of fate and the souls of the dead. The name originates from the old high German word "peraht" (brilliant).

In the Pongau region of Austria, large processions of Schönperchten ("beautiful Perchten") and Schiachperchten ("ugly Perchten") are held every winter.

The feast of St. Nicholas on 6 December marks the anniversary of the saint’s death in the year 346 AD. He had a reputation for secret gift-giving and became a model for Santa Claus.

Although Austrians wait until Christmas to exchange gifts, the Nikolaus tradition means their children find something from St. Nicholas – sweets, fruit or other presents, on the morning of 6 December.

Adults dressed as St. Nicholas and Krampus have traditionally visited primary schools on or around 5-6 December, but some schools have banned them amid claims the Krampus costumes leave some kids terrified.

Austrian Times

Related articles: quirky Austria

1. Anti-truancy official for Vienna

   » General News 2012-03-23

   Horst Tschaikner has been named head of Vienna’s new anti-truancy office.

2. Dog days for clumsy Arnautovic

   » Sports 2012-03-09

   Werder Bremen star Marko Arnautovic will be sidelined for more than a month after injuring his knee while playing with his dog.

3. Unanimous praise for State Opera Ball

   » Panorama 2012-02-17

   Political leaders and showbiz stars had only kind words about last night’s (Thurs) Opera Ball.

more related articles tagged "quirky Austria"

Related articles: kids news

1. Vienna Zoo polar bears 'will suffer'

   » General News 2011-10-26

   Bosses of Austria’s most popular zoo have rejected animal rights activists’ appeals to stop setting up a new polar bear enclosure.

2. Huge school things price gaps disclosed

   » Business 2011-08-25

   Consumer rights experts have discovered significant price gaps of writing utensils and rucksacks as kids across Austria get ready to go back to school.

3. Austria's youth prefers TV for getting informed

   » General News 2011-08-04

   Television outdoes the internet as young Austrians’ main source for information.

more related articles tagged "kids news"

Coalition accelerates anti-corruption ambitions
The government is intensifying its attempts to pass a transparency package in parliament.

Küng tackles Schüller group
Another top-tier representative of the Austrian Church has warned the Preachers’ Initiative from consequences.

BMW and Porsche seized by bold burglars
Crooks broke into a house and stole the keys to two valuable cars early Thursday morning while the residents were sleeping.

Pecik defends TA engagement
Telekom Austria (TA) investor Ronny Pecik has declared himself a team player.

Lightning strikes two workers
Two construction workers at the new Westbahnhof train station were hospitalised after being struck by lightning.

Mayor land fraud allegations
Prosecutors are investigating the mayor of Innervillgraten in Eastern Tyrol over allegations of irregularities in a sale of land that he authorised to another local council member.

Infra red heating takes off
A new heating system from a Burgenland company that operates with energy-saving, efficient, infra-red light is heating the market up.

Games night hits Vienna
Six Vienna game clubs open their doors tonight for a night full of games including Chess, Go or Tarock. The evening is meant both as a night of playing these games for enthusiasts, as well as learning them for novices.

Silly parkers road rage rampage
A serial bad parker in Graz added resisting arrest and going on the run to his crimes when police went to arrest him for notching up almost 100 parking tickets in the southern city of Graz.

Knoflacher emphasises pedestrian zones' economic effects
A renowned traffic planner has stressed that shop owners are generally appreciating the introduction of pedestrian zones.

Jobs in Austria