The Callicantzaro: Vampires Love Christmas
The Greek vampire the callicantzaro can only pursue its activities on Christmas Day and the 12 days following. At other times of the year the callicantzari roam the netherworld. More than most, they look forward to the Christmas holiday when they are finally able to emerge from the darkness and seize people. Unlike most European vampires the callicantzaros don’t bite. They tear their victims apart with their fingernails.
Children born during the week between Christmas and New Years are ‘feast-blasted’ and are at risk to become vampires themselves. Many even believe that the child is a vampire who has yet to show his or her true nature. Feast-blasted children are usually regarded with fear and hostility. Some have reported that the children rush around with amazing speed and their nails grow long like talons. Small callicantzari are particularly prone to attack their own brothers and sisters.
