This one goes out to Robin Reynolds. I hope youre celebrating Krampus in its county of origin: Krampus make his appearance throughout December and the Christmas season, traditionally starting around the 5th of the month. A sort of bad cop character to Saint Nicholas good cop, the demonic mythical creature of Alpine folklore is said to kidnap naughty children and take them to his lair where he eats them for Christmas dinner. Areas of Austria, Bavaria, and Northern Italy celebrate Krampus throughout the month with costume parties and parades of elaborately Krampus-costumed participants. His traditional features include hooves, fangs, long horns and tongue, and shaggy hair. He usually carries chains, bells, and a forked-whip or bundle of branches that he uses to whip the naughty children, then stuffs them in a basket on his back to take home to serve for Christmas dinner. Krampus celebrations in the U.S. used to be rare – hes one European Christmas tradition that didnt translate well. But Portland, Oregon has been hosting Krampus events since 2010, Philadelphia since 2011, and Los Angeles since 2013. Other Krampus-friendly cities include San Francisco, New Orleans, Phoenix, and Dallas. A more complete list, including dates and event addresses, can be found on the website, Krampusnacht Events – where San Franciscos seemingly vaudeville/burlesque-on-acid-inspired troupe, Trapeze, describes their December 5th celebration of Krampus as “Equal parts Weimar cabaret and wild speakeasy rave”, and claim that it would “make Krampus himself blush”. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Philadelphias Krampuslauf Philadelphia will start at 4:30PM on Saturday the 13th at Liberty Lands Park. Organizers promise “friends and monsters and angels and spirits and saints” and “a giant, gentle, glowing goat-bird hybrid harbinger of death!” Despite all that, participants note that its a kid-friendly event, and cite their interest as a reaction to America’s saccharine-sweet interpretation of the Christmas holiday. See the Facebook page, Krampuslauf Philadelphia: Parade of Spirits 2014, for more information. (including a photo of the glowing goat-bird thingee). The link below is to a video of the 2010 Krampus parade in Graz, Austria. Its quite a spectacle.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Dec 2014 05:32:25 +0000
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