Throughout Switzerland’s Appenzell Hinterland and Midland regions, a distinctive New Year tradition with mysterious roots takes place. Known as Silvesterchlausen, this custom involves groups of boys and men who wear extraordinary, handmade costumes. Their masks and headdresses depict scenes from rural, wild, and natural landscapes.
The short film “Silvesterchlausen” by writer and director Andrew Norman Wilson shines a light on this regional event, occurring on December 31 and January 13. December 31 marks the New Year according to the Gregorian calendar, while January 13 aligns with the Julian calendar. Groups of six ornately dressed mummers engage in polyphonic yodeling and bell ringing. “The ritual has been performed for at least 500 years, but nobody knows how or why it began,” says Wilson.
Some performers wear headpieces resembling miniature parade floats, while others don designs made from pinecones, mosses, grasses, and other organic materials, giving them an earthy appearance. In small, tight-knit communities, this tradition offers a rare opportunity for anonymity as familiar faces are concealed behind intricately crafted costumes.
The participants, known as Chläuse, practice for about a month leading up to the event, fostering a fervor known as “Chläus fever.” Boys form these groups and “continue throughout their lives until the members are too old to withstand the physical toll of the 18-hour days,” Wilson notes, emphasizing the deep bonds formed among the participants.
On New Year’s Eve, the mummers use a red string to connect houses, both literally and figuratively weaving ties within the community. As the Chläuse journey through villages and visit homes, locals offer mulled wine to keep them warm and in good spirits.
You can watch the film on Vimeo and explore more of Wilson’s work on Instagram. If you’re in the Upper Midwest, you can catch a glimpse of this annual tradition in New Glarus, Wisconsin. Additionally, you might find Ashley Suszczynski’s captivating photographs exploring European masking rituals intriguing.
