Homemade masks against the fear of Krampus
Culture
Krampus runs throughout the country are a fixed point in the Advent season – but for many this time also means fear and discomfort as soon as a bell is heard. In order to take away the fear of the youngest, the kindergarten in Salzburg-Gnigl was intensively involved with the Krampus custom this year.
After a two-year pandemic break, the traditional Krampus run took place again in the Gnigl district of Salzburg – 30 passes from the city and state of Salzburg, from Upper Austria and from Bavaria were there. “It’s great that it can finally take place again this year. We always work with partners that we know fit our concept and are need-oriented. They’re all family-friendly – we don’t want brawls in Gnigl, we want customs where people talk,” says Hannes Brugger from the Alt Gigler Krampus Perchten Pass.
Pass does early education in schools and kindergartens
The Alt Gnigler Krampus Perchtenpass, as the organizer of the run, was also involved in the kindergartens in the weeks before the event to introduce the children to the customs and to enlighten them about the scary characters: “It is very important that the children are able to enjoy the customs conveyed and for us the Krampus custom is in focus. We go to schools and kindergartens and do early education for the children here to take away their fears,” says Brugger from Alt Gnigler Krampus Perchtenpass.
Children made masks to overcome fear
In order to get to grips with the scary characters, there was also handicrafts – the youngest in the Kindergarten Campus Gnigl and Alterbach made their very own Krampus masks. As a highlight, the children were the first group of 30 to parade through the streets with their self-made masks at the big Gnigler Krampus run on Saturday.
“There is only one person under the mask”
The show run was a reward for the youngest after the many hours of handicrafts together with their parents: “The realization that there is really only one person under the mask helps a lot – it’s a good opportunity for schools and kindergartens,” says Stefan Lais from the Parents’ Association .
Concrete ideas when making masks
The children each had specific ideas for their masks, which had to be implemented: “I have red horns, red teeth and black hair and brown fur,” says six-year-old Luka Djordjevic. “My mask looks very dangerous and huge – just dangerous. I made them red, black and pink,” says five-year-old Tobias Naderlinger. The integrative pass for people with disabilities also got a place of honor at the 47th Gnigler Krampus Run on Saturday.