The annual Krampus Run event recently took place in Salzburg, Austria, involving hundreds of participants. This event features individuals dressed as Krampus, a figure from alpine folklore characterized by horns and a demonic appearance.
According to regional tradition, Krampus accompanies St. Nicholas during his visits to children to evaluate their conduct. St. Nicholas is associated with rewarding well-behaved children, while Krampus is depicted as administering punishment to those deemed naughty.
Alexander Hueter, an organizer of Salzburg's Krampus Run, stated that the event serves as entertainment and introduces an element of tension to the St. Nicholas tradition.
Participants, including some from Bavaria, articulated a desire to embody the Krampus character during the winter season. Costumes typically consist of yak and goat hair, complemented by masks designed to appear monstrous, often featuring horns. Some participants noted that their costumes could elicit fear in children, leading some Krampus clubs to organize events such as 'Cuddle a Krampus' to mitigate fright. Conversely, certain participants indicated that young adults, particularly young men, are frequently targeted with birch branch switches during the run.
Nicklaus Bliemslieder, a 19-year-old participant, reported that he had taken on the role of Krampus for 14 consecutive years since the age of five. He stated that wearing the mask alleviated his personal fear of the Krampus figure.
For the event, participants are transported to Salzburg's old town. Upon arrival, they don their masks and proceed through the streets, engaging with onlookers by lunging, swatting with switches, and clanging cowbells. St. Nicholas leads the procession, distributing candy.
Public reactions to the Krampus Run vary. Rene Watziker observed his 4.5-year-old son displaying fear during the event, noting similarities to his own childhood experiences. Sabeine Gruber, another onlooker, commented that the tradition has evolved to be less intense over time. She highlighted the presence of numbered stickers on participants' backs, intended for reporting grievances related to contact. Gruber recalled past events as involving more severe physical interactions, sometimes resulting in welts.