Merry Krampus

PowerPoint Show by Andrew

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While Saint Nicholas may bring gifts to good boys and girls, ancient folklore in Europe's Alpine region also tells of Krampus, a frightening beast-like creature who emerges during the Yule season, looking for naughty children to punish in horrible ways—or possibly to drag back to his lair in a sack.

In keeping with pre-Germanic Pagan traditions, men dressed as these demons have been frightening children on Krampusnacht for centuries, chasing them and hitting them with sticks, on an (often alcohol-fueled) run through the dark streets.

A man dressed as a Krampus, the companion of St. Nicholas and one of Austria's unique Advent traditions, takes part in a traditional Krampus procession in Lofer, Austria.

A participant dressed as the Krampus creature scares onlookers during the Krampus gathering in Goricane, Slovenia, on November 21, 2015.

A Krampus creature also scares onlookers during the Krampus gathering in Goricane, Slovenia, on November 21, 2015.

A man dressed as Krampus takes part in a parade at Munich's Christmas market on December 14, 2014.

A man dressed in a traditional Perchten costume and mask performs during a Perchten festival in the western Austrian village of Kappl, Austria.

Participants dressed as Krampus walk the streets in search of delinquent children during a Krampus run on November 28, 2015, in Salzburg, Austria.

A man dressed in traditional Perchten costume and mask performs in the western Austrian village of Huben on November 22. 2014.

Woodcarver Richard Kranawetvogl starts to carve a Krampus mask in his workshop in Marktschellenberg, Germany, on November 28, 2015. 2014.

Krampus masks are displayed in the workshop of woodcarver Richard Kranawetvogl on November 28, 2015, in Marktschellenberg, Germany.

A participant dressed as the Krampus creature greets a child during the Krampus gathering in Goricane, Slovenia, on November 21, 2015.

Participants dressed as Krampus walk the streets in search of delinquent children during a Krampus run on November 28, 2015, in Salzburg, Austria.

A participant dressed as the Krampus creature scares onlookers during the Krampus gathering in Goricane, Slovenia, on November 21, 2015.

Participants dressed as Krampus search for delinquent children during a Krampus run on November 28, 2015, in Salzburg, Austria.

A man dressed in a traditional Perchten costume and mask performs during a Perchten festival in the western Austrian village of Kappl on November 13.

A man dressed as a devil performs during a Krampus show in the southern Bohemian town of Kaplice on December 13, 2014.