In the mist-shrouded valleys and snow-capped peaks of rural Europe, a captivating dance between tradition and modernity unfolds. Photographer Ashley Suszczynski has made it her mission to capture these fleeting moments, where ancient masked rituals spring to life in a world increasingly detached from its roots.

The Terrifying Beauty of Krampus

Among the myriad traditions Suszczynski has documented, none is perhaps as striking or as misunderstood as the Krampus of the Alpine regions. This demonic counterpart to St. Nicholas emerges from the shadows of folklore each December, his fur-covered form and twisted horns a stark contrast to the jolly Santa Claus of modern Christmas lore.

Suszczynski’s lens brings the raw energy of Krampus to life. In one haunting image, a Krampus figure looms in a narrow cobblestone alley, his eyes glowing eerily in the twilight. The photographer recalls, “The moment I pressed the shutter, I felt a chill that had nothing to do with the winter air. It was as if centuries of tradition had coalesced into a single, breathtaking instant.”

Preserving Heritage Through the Lens

What sets Suszczynski’s work apart is her ability to capture not just the visual spectacle of these traditions, but their emotional core. Her photographs of Krampus runs – where costumed performers chase “naughty” children through village streets – are a testament to the enduring power of community and shared cultural heritage.

“These aren’t just costumes,” Suszczynski explains. “They’re living links to a past that’s rapidly fading from memory. Each mask, each ritual, tells a story of survival, of identity, of what it means to belong.”

As modernity encroaches on rural Europe’s timeless landscapes, Suszczynski’s work serves as both documentation and celebration. Her photographs remind us that beneath the surface of our digital age, ancient traditions still pulse with vitality, waiting for those willing to look beyond the veil of the everyday.