Tauplitz Nicholas Play

Tauplitzer Nikolospiel

The Tauplitzer Nikolospiel is a traditional folk play (Volksschauspiel), performed annually on December 5th in the village of Tauplitz, Bad Mitterndorf municipality, Styria. Locally the day is called 'Miglotog'. Approximately 60 masked participants process from the district of Klachau (starting at Gasthaus Moser) to the village square (Dorfplatz Tauplitz), where the play is performed twice. Key figures include Saint Nicholas on horseback (Nikoloroß), straw-wrapped Schab figures cracking whips ahead of the procession, Krampusse wearing hand-carved wooden masks with human features, opening scenes by the Shoemaker and Tailor, the Jedermannszene (Everyman scene) in which a ragged man asks a priest for confession, and a closing scene by Lucifer and his dark companions. The play texts are among the oldest in the region. Admission is free; the Mesner collects voluntary donations.