Overview
- The island marks the eve of St. Nicholas with the Klaasohm ritual on December 5, continuing a tradition centered on masked, unmarried young men.
- Mayor Jürgen Akkermann says the horn striking was never central to the custom and expects a safe community celebration under the updated rules.
- After ARD reporting in 2024, police logged 25 reports, yet prosecutors in Aurich closed the cases earlier this year because no victims filed charges.
- Local leaders say organizers apologized and reviewed mistakes, as the community manages the reputational fallout from heavy media attention and threats last year.
- Parts of the ritual remain closed to outsiders, photography is banned, the island avoids tourist promotion, and the association has posted an explainer video to invite informed dialogue.