→ Pennsylvania Folkways: The Belsnickel brings light and darkness – Reading Eagle
After having read many articles about Belsnickel, I find that one the most interesting aspects about the tradition is the visual variety of the costume itself. Although there is a general similarity between all of them, there is also much variation in the details. When compared to the unwavering and stale representations of Santa Klaus, this looseness of interpretation – which provides some room for creativity and individuality – is very refreshing, as is the exciting combination of terror and delight meant to be evoked by a visit from Belsnickel.
If you’d like to meet the Belsnickel in person, come to Christmas on the Farm at the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, featuring the best of local holiday customs, on Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center is located at 22 Luckenbill Road in Maxatawny Township, on the edge of the Kutztown University campus.
Related Posts
* I'm still in the process of formatting the Deitsch version. Scroll down for English version.
Die Nacht for de Chrischdaag
'S waar die Nacht for de Chrischdaag
und dorch es gans Haus ...
→ Pennsbury Manor prepping for festive Holly Nights celebration - Bucks County Courier Times
Experience the enchantment of Pennsbury Manor by candlelight. Enjoy crackling bonfires, carolers, candlelit tours of the Manor ...
I came across this Belsnickel story on the Appalachian Lifestyles blog by Matthew Burns. He was gracious enough to grant me permission to repost it here. Enjoy.
Christmastime in the Land ...
Der Belsnickel
Oh, do you know that ugly, that nasty man?
Wow! Can you call that fellow a human being?
Yes, that he is a human, may be believed by whomever wants to,
He ...
→ Homestead Recreating 18th Century Christmas - Pottstown Post
Watch out kids because Belsnickel's going to show up!
danielboonehomestead.org
12/7: A Homestead Christmas 12-4pm
Admission Adult (13+) $6.00, Child (5-12) $4.00. FDBH members free, ...
→ Friends of Hopewell Furnace celebrate “Bill of Rights Day" - Berks Mont News
The Friends of Hopewell Furnace invite the public to celebrate the 225th anniversary of the Bill of ...
In the Belsnickel's world, Christmas shouldn't be so enjoyable for the naughty kids. He comes at night, dressed in dirty furs, face blackened with charcoal. He has one purpose: To ...
→ This and That — The history of Santa Claus - Delphos Herald
Belsnickel came from Pelz Nichol, stemming from St. Nicholas and the December 6th gift giving holiday. Kris Kringle ...
→ “Days of the Belsnickel” Lunch Tour Pennsylvania at the Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
Start with a video, then take a guided tour through the village, decked out Pennsylvania ...
→ ‘Yes Helen, there is a Belsnickel’.
→ Talking Christmas traditions with Don Yoder - Philly.com
→ Is He Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle or Pelznickel?
Santa Klaus is exhausted. Perhaps it's time for him to share the burden and ask for some help. Christmas isn't ...
Der Belsnickel Suite, a symphonic work by Dave Kline performed by the Reading Philharmonic Orchestra
In my mind's eye, the fanciful events depicted in Der Belsnickel Suite portray two special days on a family farm in a rustic and sturdy home built from field stone. ...
→ City of Reading embraces ugly Christmas tree - The Morning Call
Perhaps Reading should adopt the phenomena of the "Worlds Ugliest Christmas Tree" as a yearly ritual. Pretty, well decorated trees can ...
→ Belsnickle Santa of yesteryear was not so jolly - The Herald-Dispatch
More details here on the legendary Belsnickel. I do take issue with the following...
Needless to say the first Belsnickle ...
→ Christmas Candylane opens Friday for holiday season - LancasterOnline
Yes! Kick Santa to the curb and turn Belsknickel loose upon the land.
For more 'Ask A PA Dutchman' episodes and Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch language videos check out Doulgas Madenford's YouTube channel.
The sound is not that great but this clip is very informative and well worth watching if you want to learn more about the Pennsylvania Dutch tradtion of Der Belsnickel.
Santa Claus, the pleasant bearded elf dressed in red (in case you thought I was referring to some other Santa Claus), was not predestined to be a worldwide Christmas icon ...
→ Old-fashioned Christmas in Lehigh County offers look at Pennsylvania German life in 1842 - lehighvalleylive.com
Saturday, December 6: 1:00 pm– 6:00 pm, last tour 5:15: A Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas
Travel back ...
Twas The Night Before Christmas – Translated into Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch by Thomas C. Zimmerman
Pennsbury Manor prepping for festive Holly Nights celebration
Christmastime in the Land of the Belsnickel by Matthew Burns
Der Belsnickel by Henry Harbaugh
Birdsboro’s Daniel Boone Homestead Recreating 18th Century Christmas
Friends of Hopewell Furnace celebrate “Bill of Rights Day”
Belsnickel: A slightly terrifying Pennsylvania Dutch tradition
The history of Santa Claus with reference to Belsnickel and Kris Kringle
Landis Valley Museum “Days of the Belsnickel” Lunch Tour
‘Yes Helen, there is a Belsnickel’
Talking Christmas traditions with Don Yoder
Is He Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle or Pelznickel?
VIDEO| Origin of the “Belsnickel” In Under A Minute
Der Belsnickel Suite, a symphonic work by Dave Kline performed by the Reading Philharmonic Orchestra
City of Reading embraces ugly Christmas tree
Belsnickle Santa of yesteryear was not so jolly
Hersheypark’s Christmas Candylane opens Friday for holiday season
VIDEO | Ask A PA Dutchman: The Belsnickel
VIDEO: What is a Belsnickel?
VIDEO | A living history presentation on the PA Dutch tradition of the Der Belsnickel
Meet Belsnickel, the Counter Claus
Troxell-Steckel Farm Museum old-fashioned Christmas offers look at Pennsylvania German life in 1842
