Insight into the fascination of the Krampus period with Florian Pfeiffer

Insight into the fascination of the Krampus period with Florian Pfeiffer

The Krampus period is an annual event full of anticipation for many in Salzburg, with the climax on December 5. During this time, children and adults exchange everyday concerns for the hustle and bustle of the Krampuses. One who is deeply immersed in this tradition is Florian Pfeiffer. The 23-year-old Salzburg has his own experience with the scary but fascinating figure of the Krampus. In a conversation about his experiences and the creation of his own passport at the Salzburg Hell -Duckling, he gives insights into a world that is both exciting and challenging.

Florian remembers that his first confrontation with the Krampus took place at the age of six or seven years. At that time it was customary in his family that the mother brought home a Krampus on December 5th. This custom gave him panic: "As a small child, I was madly afraid of Kramperl," he says. This fear prevented him from enjoying the festivity to the fullest. But through positive experiences, such as losing weight through a Krampus during a Krampus run, he finally developed interest in this tradition.

Florian Pfeiffer's path to the Krampus

his interest grew after he was able to experience the masks and the presentation up close. "I wanted to look at that too," said Florian, and the following year he was wearing a mask for the first time. He received support from his mother, who was initially skeptical, but finally accepted his passion. A small group developed with friends that filled the winter evenings with crampus runs and scary visits in the neighborhood.

The experiences during this time are particularly valuable for Florian. "We make home visits every year, and it is fascinating to see the children's eyes. They live with joy and fear at the same time - that is an impressive interaction," he explains. A kind of ritual often takes place that is often supported by the parents by helping the children to recite poems when they get stalled.

The hunting of young people who want to stand on the running route and want to show courage is another highlight of his Krampus activities for Florian. "I really enjoy running away when we get away when we get there.

Another important concern of Florian is to clear prejudices about the figure of the Krampus. "Some people believe that the Krampus is only there for the’ bad children. But that's not true. The Krampus is also there for the well -behaved children, it shows them how they should behave, "says Florian, adding that the Krampus always occurs together with Nicholas. "If Santa Claus only reads the good, the Krampus for the child is also happy." This balancing between reward and warning is a central aspect of the Krampus tradition.

The Krampus period in Salzburg attracts numerous people year after year who are enthusiastic about tradition and its actors. The Salzburg Hell Dead, including Florian, are one of many groups that keep the myth alive. Your appearances are an integral part of the pre -Christmas period and offer both entertainment and cultural added value.

For more information about the customs and the ideas about the Krampus visit, you can on www.salzburg24.at read.