Silvesterklaus

thumb|Silvesterklaus in Schwellbrunn. thumb|right|Silvesterkläuse in the Old Sylvester, 13 January 2010.

Silvesterklaus is a masked person taking part in Saint Sylvester's Day festivities in Appenzell, Switzerland, and thus contributing to maintain the Chlausen tradition. A Silvesterklaus or '''New Year's Mummer' (Chlaus'' in Swiss German) is dressed up as a Saint Sylvester or New Year's Eve character. In the Reformed half-canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, the turn of the year is still celebrated in this way. The Silvesterklausen is part of Switzerland’s intangible cultural heritage.