Silvesterklaus

In the Swiss half-canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, a figure known as a Silvesterklaus—or New Year's Mummer—takes part in Saint Sylvester's Day celebrations, keeping the Chlausen tradition alive. This masked character, dressed for the occasion, is recognized as part of Switzerland’s intangible cultural heritage.

The tradition marks the turn of the year twice: once on 31 December (Gregorian calendar) and again on 13 January (Julian calendar). If either date falls on a Sunday, the festivities move to the preceding Saturday. Small groups of Silvesterkläuse, wearing strange costumes and ringing large bells, wander from house to house, performing a very slow yodel to wish people a happy new year.

The Chlausen festival is thought to have originated not from pagan roots but from a late medieval Advent custom among students at a monastic school. By the 15th century, the celebrations had grown wild and carnival-like, leading the Catholic Church to object to such behavior during Advent. This likely prompted the shift of the custom to New Year's Eve. The earliest known written record dates to 1663, when church authorities complained about disorderly conduct and noise associated with 'Chlausen' in general, not specifically the Silvesterklaus. In the Catholic half-canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, 18th-century records show that participating could result in a heavy fine of five thalers. Still, the tradition persisted there on a small scale until around 1900, often tolerated quietly by local authorities, especially in border areas near Reformed Appenzell Ausserrhoden—such as Haslen, surrounded by Hundwil, Stein, Teufen, and Buehler, or Gonten near Urnäsch and Hundwil. Mixed groups from both half-cantons occasionally formed, and isolated characters sometimes appeared. Today, the custom is actively maintained in the Protestant half-canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden.

Three main types of Silvesterchläuse exist: the Schöne (Beautiful), the Schö-Wüeschte (Pretty-Ugly), and the Wüeschte (Ugly). The Beautiful wear ornate embroidered headgear depicting scenes of peasant life, crafts, buildings, sports, or family, requiring hundreds of hours of work, with a dress resembling local traditional costume. The Pretty-Ugly wear costumes made from fir twigs, ivy, moss, and other natural materials, with headgear similar in shape but decorated with natural elements.