Just as the night before All Saints Day is Halloween, the night before the Feast of St. Nicholas is Krampusnacht.
From Wikipedia
"Traditionally young men dress up as the Krampus during the first week of
December, particularly on the evening of 5 December (the eve of Saint
Nicholas day on many church calendars), and roam the streets frightening
children with rusty chains and bells. Sometimes accompanying St. Nicholas and sometimes on his own, Krampus visits homes and businesses. The Saint usually appears in the Eastern Rite vestments of a bishop, and he carries a ceremonial staff. Nicholas dispenses gifts, while Krampus supplies coal and the ruten bundles."
Krampus has been getting more traction in the US year after year and that is awesome. I look forward to a day when I can go to a Krampusnacht celebration. I know they do happen in parts of the country, just not in my part yet...as far as I know.
Need more Krampus?
Head over to my Pinterest Krampus board!
very cool post !!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Doc!
DeleteI actually found out (too late) that there's a Krampus celebration and parade in the Milwaukee area. It's going on right now of course. You have to get tickets for this, though. It sold out this year, but maybe next year I'll get some tickets in time? This "Milwaukee Krampusnacht" is at a German restaurant and sort of meeting place for German events.
ReplyDeleteIf you'd like to get an idea of what was going on around here tonight, here are some pics and videos on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/milwaukeekrampusnacht/?hl=en
Looks like there were some creepy critters out tonight!
After doing the post, I found some pics on one of the Salem Facebook pages I follow of a little Krampus gathering that happened Saturday night.
DeleteDoesn't look like there was a parade, just a gathering of some Krampus...es?
Great movie. Love the opening credits.
ReplyDelete