 Nov 29 2024

 Podkoren

Devilish creatures from several countries will converge on the village of Podkoren near the Alpine resort of Kranjska Gora at 6pm on 29 November for an annual event dubbed Fire Spectacle.

The hugely popular event will see 30 groups of more than 500 Krampuses, known as Parklji in Slovenia. Most come from the tri-border area of Slovenia, Italy and Austria.

These horned creatures as a rule accompany Saint Nicholas when he visits well-behaved children on 5 December to reward them with presents. The misbehaving ones get a stick.

The organisers say visitors can expect an awesome spectacle that will send shivers up and down their spine.

Clad in scary costumes, the Krampuses will perform their antics to the thrill of visitors, howling and rattling their chains.

Even though the spectacle is scary, inviting shrieks from visitors, safety is taken care of with fences preventing the Krampuses from mingling with the visitors, lest their horns should cause any accidents.

Stands have been erected too to let those who want watch the spectacle from a safe distance.

The event is not only a feast for the eyes, but is also dedicated to preserving heritage and tradition. Various cultural associations from the Upper Gorenjska region in Slovenia, Friuli in Italy and Carinthia in Austria are making their masks throughout the year.

The Krampus tradition goes back to pre-Christian times, when people believed that the souls of the dead returned to this world in winter.

For the first time this year, admission of €5 for visitors over the age of 10 will apply and access to the event has been limited to three entry points for the benefit of the locals. Free parking will be available as well as free bus rides from Kranjska Gora.