blatten - 2020

Lötschental Carnival & the Tschäggättä


The Lötschental Carnival is one of Switzerland’s most distinctive and atmospheric celebrations — and at its heart are the Tschäggättä. These mysterious figures, with their fearsome hand-carved wooden masks made from Swiss stone pine, appear each year during Fasnacht, from Candlemas until Gigiszischtag (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday).


Unlike the bright and cheerful characters seen in many other carnivals, the Tschäggättä carry an eerie, almost otherworldly presence. Their grotesque faces and shaggy costumes evoke the dark secrets of winter and the ancient tradition of chasing away evil spirits.


For the people of the Lötschental, the Tschäggättä are more than just costumed performers — they are living symbols of identity, history, and belonging. Their presence reminds the valley’s inhabitants of their deep roots, their enduring connection to the land, and the importance of preserving ancestral traditions.


Tragically, in 2025, the village of Blatten — the very heart of the Lötschental — was devastated by a massive landslide. Many homes, along with countless traditional Tschäggättä masks and costumes, now lie buried under thousands of tons of rock.


Yet, even in the face of such loss, the spirit of the valley endures. The community is already working to rebuild and to recreate the masks and costumes lost in the disaster. Each new carving and costume will carry with it not only the weight of tradition, but also the story of resilience, reminding future generations that the Tschäggättä — like the people of the Lötschental — will always rise again to chase away the darkness of winter.

A row of decorative signs and markers at an arctic circle landmark site under blue skies.
A dimly lit snow-covered path at night shows pedestrians walking through blowing snow during snowfall.
Group of dark furry show dogs walking and being presented in a dimly lit indoor competition setting.
Traditional Krampus performers in dark costumes and masks run through snowy streets during a nighttime parade event.
Traditional Kukeri performers wearing furry costumes and masks dance at a Bulgarian folklore festival at night.
Weathered wooden alpine building with traditional carved decorative elements along its rustic facade.
Snow-covered mountain landscape with scattered wooden chalets and bare larch trees dotting the winter terrain.
Traditional Alpine folklore masks with long white hair and grotesque features displayed on wooden wall at winter festival.
Snowy ski village in the Swiss Alps with traditional wooden chalets and mountain peaks in the background.
A panoramic winter view of a snow-covered alpine village nestled in the mountains with wooden chalets and ski slopes.
A happy golden retriever running and playing in the snow with people walking behind it.
Traditional Krampus figure wearing fur costume performs in winter folklore festival on cobblestone street.
A creepy scarecrow-like figure wearing ragged clothes stands in a snowy mountain landscape near a street lamp.
Traditional Alpine Krampus mask with long white fur and demonic features worn during winter folklore festivals in Austria.
Close-up view of traditional indigenous ceremonial masks with blue hair and skull-like features displayed in sequence.
Festival participants in traditional medieval costumes parade through a crowded historic street during a cultural celebration.