Krampus
If you think getting a lump of coal in your stocking from Santa Clause is frightening, then you are not prepared for what Krampus will bring. The Christmas time demon is known in folklore for kidnapping children and bringing beatings on them. At a recent Krampus festival in Austria, this horrifying folklore became a reality.
Beatings For Kids
Krampus is a creature of folklore who is the anti-Santa Clause. Whereas Santa rewards children on Christmas for their good behavior, Krampus punishes the wicked by kidnapping them in his burlap sack and then swatting them with birch branches.
Krampus Festival
This year, at the 18th annual Krampus Festival in Austria also known as Brucker Krampuslauf, the character believed to be fictional came to life. Five teenagers were attacked by men dressed as Krampus and sustained injuries that landed them in the hospital.
Pagan Origins
When the Krampus creature first started to appear in stories is debatable. There are theories that he was created as the evil counterpart to St. Nicholas, while others believe he is a holdover from pre-Christian paganism who escaped from Hell.
Alcohol Fueled Event
Krampus festivals are common throughout central Europe, and at this year's event in Bruck, Austria, things got out of control. These festivals are described as "alcohol fueled" events with most of the pseudo-Krampus' being men in their 20s and early 30s.
400 Krampuses
Over 2,000 people came to the Krampus festival that had around 400 people dressed up as the stick-wielding devil. Details are unclear as to what caused it (likely alcohol), but a group of men dressed as Krampus attacked five teenagers with their sticks.
Girl Attacked
One of the victims was a 15-year-old girl, who was sent to the hospital and now has to wear a cast after the beating. Her father spoke to local ORF news, "My daughter now has a cast on her right hand, both her feet are covered with welts and are swollen and bloody."
Against Tradition
The outraged father doesn't see how beating a defenseless girl has anything to do with the actual Krampus. "This violence has nothing to do with tradition," he said about her attack. All five victims were teenagers between 15 and 18 years old.
Investigating The Crimes
Organizers of the event had no idea these attacks were taking place. "Obviously, it's awful when people are injured at such a big event," Christian Kasbacher, one of the organizers said. "Of course we will be investigating this, and speaking to witnesses."
Red Cross Ambulances
Three ambulances were sent to the scene by the Red Cross, and doctors at a nearby hospital confirmed the injuries. They treated five people who had been beaten by birch sticks, and say that some of the injuries were quite serious, and they will be passing on all information to the police.
Banning Krampus
Prior to these attacks, in some regions in Austria they were already calling for a ban on Krampus. In Austria, the creature is so prevalent that there is even a Krampus museum, but schools and psychologists think the haunting demon is too frightening for children.
