Honorable Mention TOKYO-2016 Editorial / Photo Essay

Krampus

  • Photographer
    Filippo Venturi

Every December 5 in the Alps (Italy, Austria, Germany), when darkness falls, from the wood come out Krampus, goat men unchained and disquieting that pour out in the heart of the town. When people hear their bell's noise and see their torch's light, they run away to not be beated. At the end of parade it's recreated the moment when St. Nicholas submit the Krampus and restore peace. Tradition's back to 500's, born from Christian mythology and the cult of St. Nicholas, Santa Claus latin version. The legend tells that many years ago, during famine's period, boys from the mountain village dressed up using animal's leathers and horns, so as terrorize near villages inhabitants, robbing them from winter supplies. Boys however realised that among them there was an imposter: the devil, that introduced himself in and camouflaged in the group. So, it was called Nicholas the bishop to exorcise the presence.