The Krampus Christmas Camporosso

Camporosso is a town of Tarvisio, Udine, where traditions that in other communities are disappearing or changing are observed and complied with passion.
Among these is the feast of Saint Nicholas, held as tradition dictates on the evening of 5 December every year. At dusk, the Krampus Parade in the parade San Nicolò, announced by the ringing of bells and chains and their guttural sounds. They move through the streets of the country accompanying the Holy armed with bundles of rods and bearing torches.
Arrived in the square in front of the Rectory Krampus light up a bonfire with their torches and dance around before romping and chasing the kids (and even adults) to flog them, make them kneel and recite prayers.
It's a fascinating spectacle that astonishes for the contrast of the image of the Saint surrounded by dark, loud and threatening a group of demons who follow him and obey him. This contrast is also witness to the long history of this tradition that stems from ancient Pagan rites which is then subsequently installed the Christian tradition.

Video James Urban
Photography Assistant and graphics Andrea Five
Produzione Thomas Urban