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Photograph by Charles Fréger
FRANCESpring festivals in the Pyrenees feature local men playing the role of bears awakening from hibernation.
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Photograph by Charles Fréger
PORTUGALDuring Carnival in Lazarim characters called “caretos” parade through the village in hand-carved masks to a bonfire where effigies known as the comadre and compadre are burned.
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Photograph by Charles Fréger
AUSTRIAEvery five years the men of Telfs collect lichen to create Wilder Mann, or Wild Man, costumes for the town’s Carnival festival. Tradition dictates that they nibble on a piece of this lichen before the festivities.
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Photograph by Charles Fréger
ITALYSchnappviecher (snapping beast) on Shrove Tuesday
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Photograph by Charles Fréger
CZECH REPUBLICWhen jolly St. Nicholas visits the villages of Vysočina, he is joined by someone dressed as Smrt, or Death, whose scythe catches sinners.
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Photograph by Charles Fréger
CZECH REPUBLICIn the village of Nedašov, devils join the retinue of St. Nicholas to frighten children into being good.
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Photograph by Charles Fréger
SCOTLANDThousands of burrs adorn the Burryman. The man who plays the role at the Ferry Fair in Queensferry must collect all the burrs himself. Once dressed, he walks the town, accepting offers of money and whiskey and bestowing good luck.
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Photograph by Charles Fréger
GERMANYOn Christmas Eve Pelzmärtle appears in the village of Bad Herrenalb with the Christkind (Baby Jesus) to scold naughty children and rap them with a stick. The straw costume is sewn on to the wearer.
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Photograph by Charles Fréger
BULGARIAOn New Year’s Day men cover themselves with goatskins to impersonate the Kukeri, who both embody and chase away evil spirits. In the past they’d brush against women to bestow fertility.
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Photograph by Charles Fréger
SPAINJuantramposo, a mischief-maker, appears on Mardi Gras in Alsasua. The festival ends with all the participants taking part in a celebratory dance.
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