Smrt (Death), Třebič, Czech Republic (left) and Caretos, Vila Boa de Ousilhão, Portugal (right)
Charles Fréger
Tschäggättä from the Lötschental in canton Valais, Switzerland
Charles Fréger
Arkouda (Bearr), Monastiraki, Greece (left) und Nevesta, Begnishte, Macedonia (right)
Charles Fréger
S'Urtzu e sos Bardianos, Ula Tirso, Sardinia, Italy
Charles Fréger
Mascarita, Alsasua, Basque region, Spain (left) and Burryman, Queensferry, Scotland
Charles Fréger
Djolomari, Begnishte, Macedonia (left) and Škoromati, Podgrad, Slovenia (right)
Charles Fréger
Mechkari, Prilep, Macedonia (left) and Laufr (Jumper) Třebič, Czech Republic (right)
Charles Fréger
Goat masquerade, Mănăstira Humorului, Romania
Charles Fréger
Tschäggättä from the Lötschental in canton Valais, Switzerland
Charles Fréger
Sauvages (Wild men), Le Noirmont, canton Jura, Switzerland
Charles Fréger
Photographer Charles Fréger’s work took him on a journey him to 18 European countries, including Switzerland, in search of the mythological wild man. Fréger, born in 1975, is a leading representative of young French photography.
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The transformation of human to beast is a central aspect in pagan rituals that celebrate the turn of the seasons, fertility, life and death. Passed down the centuries, some are still alive today in carnival or Advent traditions. The costumes often represent the devil, billy goats, wild boars or the grim reaper and they make use of masks, horns, bells, fur and bones, as well as straw and pine twigs.
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