The Creepiest Christmas Parade Ever

[xchrom]

http://www.buzzfeed.com/rtcomedy/very-creepy-christmas-parade-3mwn

Nothing like a Krampus parade to bring out the holiday cheer…er, I mean fear.

[HappyMe]

1. Wtf?

They have never gotten the Halloween memo??!!

[badgerpup]

2. OOO-KAAAY....

Can someone knowledgeable 'splain me why the scary-horror theme for CHRISTMAS?

All Hallows or even Mardi Gras* I could understand, but this...this is just weird.




* Mardi gras (Fat Tuesday) is partyin' your ass off before Lent starts...last chance to have fun for a bit... the next 40 days are gonna be grim.
At least, that's my understanding as a failed Catholic

[progressoid]

4. According to legend, Krampus accompanies St. Nicholas during the Christmas season, warning and...

Krampus is a mythical creature recognized in Alpine countries.[1] According to legend, Krampus accompanies St. Nicholas during the Christmas season, warning and punishing bad children, in contrast to St. Nicholas, who gives gifts to good children. When the Krampus finds a particularly naughty child, it stuffs the child in its sack and carries the frightened thing away to its lair, presumably to devour for its Christmas dinner.

In the Alpine regions, Krampus is represented as a beast like creature, generally demonic in appearance. Traditionally young men dress up as the Krampus in Austria, southern Bavaria and South Tyrol during the first week of December, particularly on the evening of 5 December, and roam the streets frightening children with rusty chains and bells.[2]

In the aftermath of the 1934 Austrian Civil War, the Krampus tradition was prohibited by the Dollfuss regime[3] under the the Fatherland Front (Vaterländische Front) and the Christian Social Party but the tradition returned after the end of World War II.

In recent years Krampus themed parties and traditional Krampuslauf processions have begun to appear in American cities like Portland, Oregon and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[4]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus

[xchrom]

3. Travel Channel execs pulls the plug on Anthony Bourdain's Krampus short

http://www.straight.com/article-561456/vancouver/travel-channel-pulls-plug-anthony-bourdains-krampus-short



Around my house we like to incorporate Krampus into our holiday festivities. Maybe it's because it suits our slightly dark sense of whimsy. Perhaps it's because I was born in Bavaria (to Canadian parents, admittedly, but still). Or it could be because we are horrible, horrible parents. Whatever the case, it sure keeps the young 'uns in line!

But enough about me. Don't know who Krampus is? Read about him here. The short version is that, in certain European countries, specifically Austria and parts of Germany, Krampus is a demon enslaved by St. Nicholas. While jolly old St. Nick rewards children for good behaviour, his hirsute friend punishes kids for their misdeeds. (An often neglected aspect of the story is that Krampus also shares tasty fruit with the kids on the nice list. Or at least he does at my house. But enough about me!)

*** video at link

[OriginalGeek]

7. Booooooooo, Travel Channel, Boooooooo

Maybe Bourdaine will release it himself on the DVD.

[Little Star]

5. A person can learn a lot of...

new things in the lounge. I just did!

[OriginalGeek]

6. REVISIONIST HISTORY STEALIN' MAH KRAMPUS!

why the cover up?

[nolabear]

8. Oh man, I am TOTALLY bringing Krampus into my holiday celebration!

Those RW fundamentalists think the War on Christmas has begin? BWAHAHAHAHAAAAA!

No really, I have vague memories of seeing this but I didn't realize the level of pure awesomeness.

[xchrom]

9. it is awesome, isn't it? nt

[frogmarch]

10. Awesome!

That was indeed the creepiest Christmas parade ever!

I put it on my Facebook page to counter some of the sappy Christmas stuff my Fb friends are posting - angels, shepherds, the babe in a manger, jolly old Saint Nicholas, etc.

[nolabear]

11. LOL! Me too! Although to come totally clean I have antlers and a red nose on my mini.

Hey, people actually grin at me when I drive by. Doing my part for boosting endorphins the world over.

[frogmarch]

12. :-) You'd probably

get a different reaction if you dressed up your mini as Krampus. heh

[lindysalsagal]

13. The German's answer to Venice's Carnivale

Or, where you go when the Star Trek Cons get old.

[sarcasmo]

14. I am a big fan of creepy.

[lindysalsagal]

15. They come right up and touch you, and try to take your hat.

The energy and the silence with the old thunky bells interrupting the silence is totally awesome!

Some of those kids are so brave!

[graywarrior]

16. Speechless

[annabanana]

17. Wow!,, That was GREAT!

I love cures for saccharine

[Tyrs WolfDaemon]

18. The Krampus invaded the Venture Christmas Party (for those that care)

http://video.adultswim.com/the-venture-bros/punishing-the-wicked.html