Klaus chasing

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The Klausjagen in Küssnacht is a St. Nicholas - tradition , which since the early modern period , respectively on December 5 takes place. If December 5th falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the parade will be held on Friday.

Iffelen on the 2011 parade

history

In its oldest forms, the boys from Küssnacht wandered through the alleys and pestered people in order to get food and alcoholic beverages. In 1928, the Küssnachter St. Niklausengesellschaft was founded with the aim of keeping the festival in order.

procedure

At eight o'clock in the evening, the 1,500 or so Klaus hunters gather. All wear the white shepherd's shirt. After a gunshot at 8:15 p.m., the lights went out throughout Küssnacht. The Geislechlepfer crack their whips as they lead the procession. Behind them prance silently Iffeleträger . You wear the Iffelen on your head. These are made of cardboard and colored tissue paper and look like church windows, which are lit from the inside by candles. The largest Iffeles are more than two meters high and weigh 20 kg. Now comes Santa Claus , accompanied by several dirt and torch-bearers. The Schmutzli distribute donuts, dried fruits and nuts to the audience. The brass section follows with the traditional Klausen melody. Then the Trychlers come , who with their cowbells form the largest group of the parade. This finds its eerily beautiful finale through the horn blowers .

After the move, Klaus hunters roam the village of Küssnacht in smaller groups all night before they get together again at six in the morning for the final Sächsizügli .

literature

  • St. Niklausengesellschaft Küssnacht am Rigi (Ed.): Küssnachter Klausjagen. Triner, Schwyz 2014, ISBN 978-3-908572-69-5 .
  • Ernst Hohl (Hrsg.): Silvesterkläuse - Glöckler - Klausjäger. Spectacular headdress in popular custom. Exhibition catalog. Ernst Hohl-Kulturstiftung Appenzell. Publication series Haus Appenzell Zurich, Volume 11/2015, ISBN 978-3-85882-741-8 .

See also

Web links

Commons : Klausjagen in Küssnacht  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence