Playful and messy
Tyrol region.
During the annual "Krampus" parade, I noticed a little, charming girl, hiding behind the legs of the crowd.
She was a little scared, but at the same time she was messing with the walking masked men. Her grimaces, her ginger plaits, freckles and the perfect matching green hat, reminded me of Pippi Longstocking!
I had only a few seconds to grab my camera and to take this candid street portrait.
"Krampus" is a horned, anthropomorphic figure, in Alpine folklore, who during the Christmas season scares children who have misbehaved, assisting Saint Nicholas. In traditional parades, young men ,dressed as "Krampus", participate and attempt to scare the audience with their antics. Such events occur annually in most Alpine towns.
Veronika K Ko, United States, -