The day that the krampus came

Today was spent mainly with the family in St Veit. Anthony and I had a brief excursion to Baden, a delightful town where there is obviously a lot of money in certain sections of society. The Christmas market there was a pleasure with a lot of locally made crafts.

Everything today was pointing us towards the big village celebration in St Veit. First the recorder group - 5 including Lewis - played a few tunes. They did well, although poor Lewis was upset because he was at a birthday party and had to leave early to play in the village square. Then the youth band played.

Then St Nicholas arrived. He gave presents to the young children. (There were presents for us all when we arrived home later.)

After Nicholas it was the turn of the krampus - about 25 of them. Anthony was not one, but he lead the drumming group who came first and then drummed throughout the event. The krampus come to check whether the children have been good or not. They wear skins - some smelling of goat - and wear elaborate masks.

Most of the children were not scared, even when a krampus attempted to "abduct" a child or two!! It was an amazing display of pagan symbolism.

We came back to a hearty beef goulash.

Make sure you see the third eye - and if you missed yesterday it is here.