Putsum

Cramp Push

Label: Eisodos Kindynoy

Genre: Electronica / Ambient / Experimental

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PUTSUM defied the contemporary Greek clero-fascism and conducted a performance based on European myths that emerged around the winter solstice period, but were not assimilated by the official Christian religion. Unlike the syncretism between Christmas and the Roman festival of Saturnalia, where the mythical "Golden Age" was celebrated (a period of absolute harmony during which hierarchical, exploitative and predatory relations were non-existent) the folklore myths of the Balkan kalikantzari and the Central and Eastern Alpine folkloric tradition of Krampus, did not survive in the dogmas of the main branches of Christianity.

The kalikantzari myth originates from the ancient Greek and Byzantine folklore, deeply rooted in chthonic beliefs. According to the Greek version of the myth, representing a seasonal manifestation of darkness and chaos these malevolent, subterranean impish goblin-like creatures spend the year trying to saw down the "World Tree" that supports the Earth, only to emerge, just as they finish, during the twelve days of Christmas, to cause chaos, allowing the tree to heal while they wreak havoc on the surface. In recent years kalikantzari were referred to in the Greek parliament by a far-right ultra religious MP as a menace.

In contrast the horned anthropomorphic hairy figure Krampus, who according to folklore, visits children during the night of 5 December, Krampusnacht, and punishes badly behaved ones by abducting them using a basket placed on his back, was banned in the past. In the 1930's the Krampus tradition was prohibited by the Dollfuss regime under the clerical fascist Fatherland Front and the Christian Social Party.