The Mysterious and Scary Krampus

By Francesca Lungarotti During November and December each year Krampus parades and festivals are enjoyed across the countries of Europe’s eastern Alpine arc.  These cultural events take place in Austria, Bavaria, Switzerland, Slovenia, and two Italian regions, Trentino-Alto Adige and Friuli Venezia Giulia, and some parades are also held in Veneto. The word Krampus is derived […]

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Carnival in Italy

As a new year begins, revelers of traditional and colorful festivals turn their attention and excitement to carnival season.  While the ancient origins of carnival celebrations suggest they were timed as New Year’s festivals, the modern-day carnival evolved to be more closely associated with the beginning of the solemn Christian period of Lent.  The Roman Catholic liturgical […]

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