Dark fellows: After two years, Gnigl invites you to the “Krampus Run” again
In the district of Gnigl, the final preparations for the Krampus run are in full swing. Up to 10,000 visitors are expected.
SALZBURG. The Salzburg Krampus are already in the starting blocks, after two years of corona restrictions, the anticipation of Krampus events is great at many passes.
Around 40 passes in Gnigl
This is also the case with the “Alt Gnigler Krampus Perchten Pass” around chairman Hannes Brugger, which after a two-year break on November 26th at 7 p.m. invites you back to the gruesome hustle and bustle in Gnigl. “The anticipation can be felt everywhere, as we as a group had practically no club activities due to the pandemic. The companies, the participating Passen or the Gnigler clubs – everyone is happy that something is happening in our district again,” says Brugger.
The preparations for the big Krampus Run are complete. “There will be around 40 participants from the city and state of Salzburg, Upper Austria and the participating Bavaria. All of them are groups that we have been working with for years and that have a customs-oriented and family-friendly appearance. The first group will be the children from Gnigl and surroundings with their self-made masks walk in. Also included is the ‘Jedermann Pass’, Austria’s first integrative Krampus group,” says Brugger, giving an outlook.
Around 10,000 visitors are expected
From the originally small district parade, the run has developed into a Krampus parade that is well known beyond the borders of Salzburg. Up to 10,000 visitors came to the run in Gnigl in the years leading up to the pandemic.
For this year, Brugger expects a similarly high number. “Now that there has been nothing going on in the area of Krampus runs for two years and the first Advent falls on November 26th, we expect to be able to welcome the same number of visitors again this year. But in the former case, we want people to have a nice Spend the evening with us and look at a lot of different masks,” emphasizes the “Krampus chairman”.
Difficult time for the clubs
Brugger, who is also chairman of the Salzburg home clubs, generally senses a spirit of optimism and joy in many clubs that club life and the organization of events are possible again without restrictions.
“The situation was unsatisfactory, especially for the club officials, when you have to decide who can and can’t be present, for example, during a home visit with Nikolaus and Krampus. That generally did a lot of damage to the clubs in all genres. You have to in the next few years certainly put more focus on working with young people and also offer them a corresponding supporting program during the year. For clubs that work seasonally, this is a special challenge,” says Brugger.
Here you can find a report on the Christmas tree in front of Mirabell Palace
Christmas tree in front of Mirabell Palace from Lungau