The following photos are part of a series called European Communities by German-born photographer Immo Klink, which documents the dropout of people from all over the continent who have created fantastic individual dwellings.
They become bears, stags, and devils. They evoke death but bestow fertile life. They live in the modern era, but they summon old traditions – people all over Europe like to dress up. French photographer Charles Fréger has sought out the best of the best and published a book about almost forgotten rituals. Collected over two winters of travel through 19 countries. Take a visual tour of Europe’s wild man traditions.
Bulgaria – On New Year’s Day men cover themselves with goatskins to impersonate the Kukeri, who both embody and chase away evil spirits.
Switzerland – Sauvage at Carnival
Italy – Schnappviecher (snapping beast) on Shrove Tuesday
Poland – Macidulas on New Year’s Day
France – Spring festivals in the Pyrenees feature local men playing the role of bears awakening from hibernation.