Klaasohm on Borkum: Tradition under criticism - violence at St. Nicholas Festival?

Klaasohm on Borkum: Tradition under criticism - violence at St. Nicholas Festival?

On the German island of Borkum, a shocking custom is causing an uproar: on December 5th, the evening before St. Nicholas Day, women are cruelly stalked. This almost 200-year-old festival, known as “Klaasohm,” has recently attracted massive criticism, particularly after a report by ARD magazine “Panorama.” According to reports, women are chased that night by men in disguise and beaten with cow horns. The image that emerges is brutal and violent, and the tradition is now under intense debate. The Borkum boys, the organizers of the custom, have now spoken out and decided to abolish this violent practice. An official statement said that the association “rejects any use of violence, especially against women.” This is reported by the crown.

The reaction to the report was violent: the club experienced a shitstorm on social media, and numerous holiday cancellations hit the island. The tourism company based there expressed concern about the impact on the island's image. The association's statement states that they have made mistakes in the past by not questioning the custom more critically. They now want to focus on the solidarity of the islanders and transform the tradition into a community festival that does not involve violence. As part of the event, the children are also treated well and receive honey cake biscuits, while the women are the target of “catchers” who hunt them down, like this Northern Courier reported.

The association has also stated that they want to improve their cooperation with the media and act more transparently. This initiative could be the first step in a new direction to adapt the tradition of “Klaasohm” to current social norms and prevent future attacks. While the discussion about tradition and violence continues, it remains to be seen whether other places and customs also need to be reconsidered.