Christmas traditions
“Advent, Advent, ein Lichtlein brennt……“ (Candle, candle burning bright….“) - that’s the first line of a poem little children chant before lighting yet another candle on the wreath every Sunday during Advent. Just one of the many small and big Christmas traditions still alive in Austria.
Saint Nicholas and Krampus
Perchtenmaske aus dem SalzburgerLand © SalzburgerLand TourismusAdvent time is family time! Enjoying the first snow, experiencing nature up close on your skis or skates, tossing your Christmas letter into the fireplace as you pray all your wishes and requests to the “Christkind” (the Christ Child, Baby Jesus) come true, reading stories out loud, and baking biscuits, “Kipferl” (crescent-shaped biscuits) and “Busserl” (small Xmas pastries). The festive season is such a wonderful time!
It could also happen that during Advent, certain folkloristic figures knock on your front door as they roam around the countryside. St. Nicholas, the historically sociable and very friendly figure, and Krampus, his sinister companion, ask which children have been good during the year. Traditionally, well-behaved children are rewarded with sweets, peanuts and tangerines, and in some cases you’ll hear a word of warning given to the naughty ones.
In the Silent Night villages in Upper Austria, Tirol and Salzburger Land, this tradition is celebrated on 6 December. Kids eagerly await the much-feared Krampus Day which falls one day before. Scary figures dressed up in sheepskin and wearing carved masks with goat horns get up to mischief on the village streets.
Traditions on the countryside:
From crib to crib (“Kripperlroas”) in Salzkammergut
Every year from 24 December to 2 February (Candlemas Day) many farmers and nativity scene carvers open their doors to the public presenting their artistically-made family cribs. Tradition has it to lovingly make and continuously build “community cribs.”The biblical history of the birth of Christ is embedded in regional scenes. The origins of the tradition of making handmade cribs and their “private” exhibitions in Salzkammergut actually lies in an ordinance made by Joseph II. In 1782 the Emperor issued a court decree to all churches forbidding them to set up cribs, some of which were very ornate. This encouraged skilled craftsmen to build their own cribs and figures and display them at home instead. Later it then led to the making of elaborate “landscape cribs.”
The “Perchten” from Gastein in SalzburgerLand
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Folklore in Lower Austria / Perchten © Österreich Werbung / Gregor Semrad
“Perchten“ runs in the Alps
Salzburg Christmas Market © Österreich Werbung / Bryan Reinhart
