Folklore figure parade takes place in Vienna

Thousands gathered to watch the demon-like figures of Germanic folklore, Perchta and Krampus, parading for the annual ’Perchtenlauf’ (’Run of the Perchten’) at the Prater fun fair in Vienna. Creatures with wooden masks and fur costumes interacted with the crowd, scaring and amusing children who came to the event. Traditionally, the Perchten are considered a force for good who drive away bad spirits, while the Krampus usually accompanies Santa on December 5, with one rewarding good children and the other frightening the badly behaved.