Silvesterklaus

Silvesterklaus is a masked person taking part in Saint Sylvester's Day festivities in Appenzell, Switzerland, and thus contributing to maintain the Chlausen tradition.

[3] It is assumed that the Chlausen festival does not have pagan origins, but goes back to a late medieval Advent tradition involving students of a monastic school.

In the Catholic half-canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden (AI), according to some 18th-century records, taking part in the "Chlausen" tradition was punished with a heavy fine of five thalers.

[2] All characters hide their faces behind a mask, which is either sweet and doll-like (Beautiful), finely covered with natural materials (Pretty-Ugly), or scary looking (Ugly).

They represent a somewhat freer form of the tradition, and are usually dressed in a lighter costume, illustrating professional people (for instance farmers, forestry workers or cooks).

These are former members, or yodelers, who want to keep up the tradition without the huge investment of time and energy needed for the production of the detailed costumes belonging to the main figures.