Klozum (or Klozem) is a holiday celebrated on December 5 in Friesland, the Netherlands. The name literally means "Uncle Claus" (as in Saint Nicholas). Despite the name and date, the tradition is not directly related to the latter, who is also celebrated on December 5 in the Netherlands. Rather, it is related to similar traditions on the Frisian Islands, such as Schiermonnikoog, Klaasohm on Borkum, Ouwe Sunderklaas on Texel, Opkleden on Vlieland and Sunderklazen on Ameland.
Klozum, Uncle Claus
During the festival, islanders dress up as "klozums" and visit houses on the island. The costumes often include local personalities, national and international celebrities, and fantasy and fairy tale characters such as Arabs or cowboys. Both men and women dress up. The klozums also distort their voices to further disguise their identities.
The disguised visitors begin visiting homes on the island around 8:30 pm, either alone or in groups. To welcome them, the front doors of the houses are left ajar and a lantern is lit or a curtain is left open. Once inside, the disguised visitors put on a show, featuring various characters or situations, often satirizing important events or decisions that have taken place on the island over the past year. After they leave, the inhabitants must guess who was hiding behind the disguises.
Klozum ends with an unmasking at midnight, when all the disguised people remove their masks and disguises to reveal who they really are. The unmasking is followed by celebrations that last into the night.
Social networks
Today in Friesland begins the night of the Klozums. Residents in disguise put on satirical shows all night long. The game is to guess who is hiding behind the masks. No one knows where this tradition originated. #mythology #myth #legend #calendar #5December #frieze #klozu
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