Gastein – in a state of exception

These days Gastein is probably – I’ll put it like this – in a state of exception. December 5 and 6 are almost like “holidays” for us; many employees in tourism and in the trades take time off work to be actively involved in the Gastein Krampus Run. Those who didn’t grow up in Gastein or didn’t already have a connection to the Krampus Run as children may not understand this fanaticism. Here in the valley, the Krampus Run is as much a part of it as Christmas, the smoking/incensing in the Rauhnächte, etc., and the people of Gastein are very proud of it.

Then 80 to 100 Krampus groups go from house to house to reward the good and punish the bad. In one group there is a St Nicholas with his basket carrier (Guazltrager) and usually an Engerl (mainly in Bad Gastein). Added to that are at least 4 Krampuses (Klaubauf), who with their imposing and fearsome appearance spread fear and terror among young and old. The hand-carved wooden masks with ram and billy-goat horns are made with great love and effort according to a long-standing tradition and, depending on the district where the group is running, also have different facial shapes. In addition, each Krampus has a thick pelt (usually sheep) and steel bells, the so-called Rollen or Schellen, so you can hear the Krampus groups from far away. This unique sound, together with the loud roaring (devil’s scream), fills the Gastein air on these two days and creates a strange, mystical atmosphere. (Excerpt Gasteinertal.com)

Today, on December 6, the Krampuses go into the more rural area and the outskirts of the villages; yesterday they could be seen in the village centre.
The special thing is – the Krampus Run is age-old tradition and has been preserved in its original form especially in the Gastein Valley. The individual groups, all of which have a unique name, make sure themselves that the tradition is kept alive and that this living custom is passed on from generation to generation.

The Gastein Krampus Run shapes the people of Gastein: from the little child to the very old great-grandfather, you see the sparkle in their eyes on these days. Many Krampus runners fall into anticipation weeks beforehand (“Kramperlnarrisch”) and prepare meticulously with preliminary work and numerous Krampus meetings.

Many emigrated Gasteiners come “home” at this time from all corners of the world to be part of the Krampus Run, whether as a member of a group or as a spectator – a testimony to the importance the custom holds in the hearts of the people of Gastein, and that it clearly and consistently sets itself apart from the trend in other regions as a “performance of a meaningless spectacle”.

You can find lots of info (including excerpts from these farm stories) and videos about the Gastein Krampus Run on Gerhard’s page, where he has lovingly gathered all the details. https://:www.gasteinertal.com