Evil Santa Claus in France. Where does the German Santa Claus live? New Year in the Netherlands

Soon New Year will knock on the doors of every house... More precisely, Santa Claus will knock... Or maybe it will be cute brownies in knitted caps?! Or the beautiful fairy Befana?! We need to figure out who to expect New Year's Eve.

This is what they are like, these Santa Clauses and Snow Maidens:

• Australia, USA - Santa Claus. The American grandfather wears a cap and a red jacket, smokes a pipe, travels through the air on reindeer and enters the house through a pipe. Australian Santa Claus is the same, only in swimming trunks and on a scooter (you know, it’s hot on the first of January in the country of kangaroos :-).
• Austria - Sylvester
• Altai region— Sook-Taadak
• England - Father Christmas
• Belgium, Poland—St. Nicholas. As the legend goes, he left golden apples in a shoe in front of the fireplace for the family who sheltered him. It was a very long time ago, so St. Nicholas is considered the very first Santa Claus. He rides a horse, wearing a miter and a white bishop's robe. He is always accompanied by a Moorish servant, Black Peter, who carries a bag of gifts for obedient children on his back, and in his hands - rods for naughty children.
• Greece, Cyprus – Saint Basil
• Denmark - Yletomte, Ylemanden, St. Nicholas
• Western Slavs - Saints Mikalaus
• Italy - Babo Nattale. In addition to him, the good fairy Befana (La Befana) comes to obedient children and gives gifts. The naughty ones get a coal from the evil sorceress Befana.
• Spain - Papa Noel
• Kazakhstan - Ayaz-ata
• Kalmykia - Zul
• Cambodia - Ded Zhar
• Karelia - Pakkainen
• China - Sho Hin, Sheng Dan Laoren
• Colombia - Papa Pascual
• Mongolia - Uvlin Uvgun, accompanied by Zazan Okhin (Snow Maiden) and Shina Zhila ( boy-New Year). New Year in Mongolia coincides with the cattle breeding holiday, so Santa Claus wears the clothes of a cattle breeder.
• Netherlands - Sanderklaas
• Norway—Nisse (little brownies). Nisse wear knitted caps and love tasty things.)
• Russia - Father Frost, Father Treskun, Morozko and Karachun rolled into one. He looks a little stern. He wears a fur coat down to the ground and a high hat, and in his hands he holds an ice staff and a bag of gifts.
• Romania - Mos Jerile
• Savoie - Saint Chalande
• Uzbekistan - Korbobo and Korgyz (Snow Maiden). On New Year's Eve, a “snow grandfather” in a striped robe rides into Uzbek villages on a donkey. This is Corbobo.
• Finland - Joulupukki. This name was not given to him in vain: “Youlu” means Christmas, and “pukki” means goat. Many years ago, Santa Claus wore a goat skin and delivered gifts on a goat.
• France - Grandfather January, Père Noel. The French "Father January" walks with a staff and wears a wide-brimmed hat.
• Czech Republic - Ded Mikulas
• Sweden - Krise Kringl, Yulnissan, Yul Tomten (Yolotomten)
• Japan - Oji-san

All Santa Clauses bring gifts, but each one does it in his own way:

• Russian Santa Claus puts a gift under the Christmas tree.
• The English and Irish find gifts in a sock, and Mexicans find gifts in a shoe.
• New Year gifts they fall down a chimney in France, and onto a balcony in Spain.
• In Sweden, Santa Claus puts gifts near the stove, and in Germany he leaves them on the windowsill.

Santa Clauses - they are still not the same. They look different, one is kind, and the other can scold. Everyone has their own personal way of getting into a holiday home.

But no matter what Santa Claus you are, you are there to congratulate and give a gift!

New Year has become the most beloved and happy holiday for all humanity. New Year is a fairy tale holiday. And not a single fairy tale is complete without miracles. And on New Year’s Day we expect not only gifts, but also the arrival of the almighty old man Santa Claus in the house. We believe that he will definitely fulfill our wishes and return lost hopes. Santa Claus is subject to time and distance. He has time everywhere and can do anything. And it doesn’t matter that our Santa Claus is called differently in other countries, and he doesn’t look as majestic there as he does in his homeland. In each country it is a little different, but that’s not the main thing, right?

On the eve of the New Year, I wanted to visit many countries and find out how our Grandfather Frost, Santa Clauses and other overseas winter characters are different and similar. I wonder how all the Santa Clauses congratulate the children? Of course, I couldn’t travel around the whole world, because I’m not a magician. But we managed to visit some places.

I learned that all Santa Clauses bring gifts, but everyone does it in their own way. Our Santa Claus puts gifts under the festively decorated Christmas trees. And English and Irish grandfathers put gifts in their socks. Probably the gifts are small. Or are the socks too big? In France and Holland, gifts reach children through chimneys, and in Spain, grandfathers leave them on balconies. The Swedish grandfather gets closer to the stove and leaves it near it. New Year's greetings, warms itself up and sets off.

... the Dutch Father Christmas is called Sinterklaas. He appears in the company of two chimney sweeps. The grandfather himself is so imposing that he does not try to climb into the chimneys on his own; instead, his assistants, the chimney sweeps, bring gifts to the children at night.	New Year in the Netherlands The Dutch celebrate the New Year (it is called Old-New Year) to the explosions of firecrackers, firecrackers, and the howl of car horns. At midnight on December 31st, fireworks light up the sky over Amsterdam. Traditionally, the New Year is celebrated with family. Waffles and cookies are served with the feast. Each region of the country has a special recipe for these sweets. The most popular type is shortbread cookies with almonds and candied fruits called Advent Wreath. The traditional Dutch New Year's drink is slam, consisting of hot milk with the addition of tea, saffron, cinnamon, nutmeg, carnations. At 12 o'clock at night in the Netherlands they open champagne and snack on cookies. At night, the Dutch put Christmas trees in huge bonfires and burn them.
New Year in Austria Krampus scares not only evil spirits. He carries a rod with him, with which he punishes children if they have not obeyed their parents throughout the past year. Now the monster has become completely brutal and has begun handing out coals to those who do not pay their loans on time. Could Krampus be bribed by bankers and become a holiday collector? In honor of this Saint Sylvester, the Austrians prepare punch. Austrians celebrate the New Year with fireworks. There is a belief that evil spirits disappear only when fireworks soar upward. At midnight, trumpets sound from the church towers, heralding the arrival of the New Year. The main dish on Austrian tables is suckling pig. The Austrians are sure that those who ate a pig on New Year's Eve will have a good year all year. Tables are traditionally decorated with small marzipan piglets. Four-leaf clovers, which are displayed next to the treat, also bring good luck.	... New Year in Austria is called Sylvester in honor of St. Sylvester. The role of Santa Claus is played by two characters: Saint Nicholas and Krampus. Krampus is a kind of devil who disperses evil spirits with loud cries.
... Weinachtsman is Santa Claus in Germany. His prototype is also Saint Nicholas. German Santa Claus likes to appear on a donkey.	New Year in Germany Kids In Germany, before going to bed, they place plates for gifts on tables and windowsills. And they put hay in their own shoes so that Vainakhtsman’s donkey can eat before the long journey. All German families gather at festive tables and exchange gifts. On the tables there are honey cakes and glass or porcelain piggy banks. A traditional German dish is carp, the scales of which always bring good luck and prosperity. On the tables of every family there are pork dishes, sausages, stewed cabbage, pancakes, cookies, and pretzels. Fireworks on New Year's Eve do not subside for a long time; the Germans also use them to ward off evil spirits. Mummers walk through the villages on a festive night.
New Year in Denmark In Denmark, Ylemanden is the main Santa Claus, the so-called big grandfather. He has elves as his assistants. And the youngest grandfather works there as the gnome Julenisse. He walks only in wooden shoes, short pants, and wears a cap on his head. Yulenisse lives in a forest hut. All year he prepares gifts with his own hands. Before Christmas, Yulenisse moves closer to people with her gifts. From the cold and curious human glances, he hides in a barn. On New Year's Day, the Danes wear funny hats and decorate tables with cookies. Exactly at 12 o'clock on festive table they serve sweets rice porridge with a surprise in the form of a nut. Unmarried Danish women firmly believe that if they find a nut in their New Year's porridge, they will definitely get married. Danish children are usually given plush or wooden Christmas trees with a troll peeking out from under them.	... the Danish grandfather Julemanden is akin to all northern Santa Clauses. He arrives on reindeer from Greenland. Julemanden's clothing resembles a mixture of the wardrobe of Santa Claus and Father Frost.
... Yul Tomten (Yolotomten) lives in Sweden, in a protected forest. Dusty the snowman, mischievous mice, a prince and princess, witches, the King and The Snow Queen, elves. The elves work nonstop in their small mine, extracting gold for Christmas tree decorations and gifts.	New Year in Sweden On New Year's Eve, after noisy feasts, the Swedes organize festive festivities. Their tradition is to break dishes at the doors of their friends and burn a large straw goat. Before the New Year, Swedish children choose a festive queen - Lucia. She gives out gifts and brings treats for pets.
New Year in France Currently, Père-Noël has also acquired a Santa Claus costume, so he has somewhat lost his individuality. Like all Klaus, he began to climb pipes and place gifts on his toes with his own hands. In France, the New Year's holiday is called Saint Sylvester's Day. Celebrations take place among friends. On the French table, depending on the region, there should be goose or turkey with chestnuts. Goose liver pate is a must. The French are sure that if the most luxurious treats are on the table on New Year's Eve, the whole year will be successful. January 1st is Boxing Day for the French.	... the French Christmas daddy Père-Noël also descended from St. Nicholas. Although he used to dress modestly, he never skimped on gifts for his children.
... in Italy Babbo Natale (Christmas Father) comes to Christmas, but by New Year he is so tired that resourceful Italians decided to entrust the delivery of gifts to a pretty and tireless woman named Befana.	New Year in Italy Old lady Befana is extremely mobile. To be in time for all the kids, she bought a broom. Befana stops her flying machine for a second above the chimneys, drops gifts into them and rushes on. True, granny can be extremely strict with naughty children: they only get ash. On New Year's table Italians always have a symbol that represents wealth - pork with lentils. Italians also eat dried grapes. The Italians have a superstition: whoever eats more grapes on New Year's Eve will become richer in the coming year. At the stroke of midnight, Italians throw old things at windows. It is believed that this way you can deal with the sorrows that have accumulated over the year. It is customary in Italy to dress up only in new clothes on January 1st.
New Year in England Father Christmas currently wears a bright red robe, no different from other Santa Clauses. In Victorian and Tudor times he wore only a bright green suit and a green cloak trimmed with white fur. The British will definitely see you off old year and meet the New one. Traditionally, they leave the back doors open so that the old year can leave the house unhindered. At exactly 12 o'clock at night the bell sounds. The British close the back door and open the front door, where the New Year enters. The traditional drink among the British is punch, and pudding is always served for dessert. New Year's celebrations for the British mark the end of the Christmas holidays.	… Father Christmas is a grandfather's name that is used in many English-speaking countries. In the past, the English Santa Claus bore the names Old Father Christmas (Old Father Frost), Sir Christmas (Sir Christmas, Lord Christmas).
... the Irish grandfather resembles a fairy-tale astrologer. His name is Father Christmas or Daid-na-nolag. True, only the old Irish remember this. And here Santa Claus began to displace the traditional grandfather.	New Year in Ireland The Irish celebrate the New Year with their families. On the eve of the celebrations, the Irish traditionally treat friends and neighbors with baked goods. It is customary in Ireland to leave the doors of houses open so that anyone passing by can come in and join in the celebration. Plentiful treats of meat delicacies, poultry, and pastries are displayed on the tables. There must be a seed cake on the New Year's table - a cupcake or cookies with caraway seeds. Throughout the New Year's holidays, three puddings are served on the table.
Our Father Frost and Santa Claus Still, our Santa Claus is very different from his European colleagues. Our grandfather's robe may be different colors: blue, red, white, gold, even green. The main thing is that our grandfather will never forget to change his nightcap. On his head is a boyar hat trimmed with white fur. Our grandfather's sheepskin coat is always embroidered with patterns with precious stones, he wears mittens, boots, and a sash. The traditional Santa Claus costume is red, with a cap with a white pompom on his head. He is wearing boots and white gloves on his hands. They belted Santa Claus with a leather belt. In fact, Santa Claus looks more like a slightly grown-up gnome; he does not look like a real master of blizzards and northern winds. He is flimsy compared to our grandfather.

What is another name for Santa Claus?

You now know that in almost all countries New Year is celebrated at different times and in different ways. Therefore, we can assume that everyone’s Santa Clauses are also different. The way it is. This cheerful old man is a real traveler: he is in a hurry to visit every child on earth. So where and what is it called?

Father Frost(Treskun, Morozko, Studenets and Karachun) - lives in Belarus and Russia. At first glance, it seems that the old man is quite stern. The wizard is dressed in a floor-length fur coat and a tall hat. In his hands he has an ice staff and a bag of gifts.

Father Frost- the only fairy-tale grandfather in the world who has a wife - Winter. And the mythical character is called Grandfather because he has a granddaughter - the Snow Maiden.

Santa Claus— pleases children of America and Australia with gifts. American Santa Claus is dressed in a short red jacket, red pants and high black boots. On his head he has a long cap with a pompom at the end. The old man travels through the air on reindeer and enters the house through the chimney. Australian Santa is almost the same, only instead of pants he has swimming trunks, and instead of reindeer he has a scooter (it’s just very hot in Australia).

Corbobo- Uzbek Grandfather Frost, traveling through Uzbek villages with his faithful companion Korgyz (Snegurochka) on a donkey. He is dressed in a striped robe.

Joulupukki- lives in Finland. This name for this Santa Claus was not given by chance. He used to wear goat skin and deliver gifts on a goat. This is where his name came from, translated from Finnish “joulu” - Christmas, “pukki” - goat.

Pere Noel (Grandfather January)— Santa Claus from France. He wears a wide-brimmed hat and always carries a magic staff with him.

St Nicholas- a sacred symbol of the New Year in Belgium and Poland. It is believed that this is the very first Santa Claus, as there is an ancient legend: he once left a shoe with golden apples in gratitude to the family that sheltered him from bad weather. Saint Nicholas moves on a horse, and he is always followed by his faithful servant Black Peter, who carries a bag of gifts for obedient children and a rod for naughty children. Saint Nicholas is dressed in a miter and episcopal robe.

Babbo Natale- Italian Santa Claus. In addition to him, the good sorceress Befana comes to the obedient children and gives gifts, and the ill-mannered children only get a coal from her.

Uvlin Uvgun- rules winter in Mongolia. His eternal companions are Zazan Okhin (Snow Maiden) and Shina Zhila (New Year boy). Uvlin Uvgun is dressed in the clothes of a cattle breeder, apparently because the New Year in Mongolia coincides with the day of cattle breeding.

Nisse- not quite the real Santa Claus, because he is a dwarf, and in Norway, where he performs the duties of Father Frost, he is called the little brownie.

At first glance, these Santa Clauses are completely different. But there is still one similarity that unites them. Wizards must visit all the boys and girls on New Year's Eve to congratulate them on the New Year and give them long-awaited gifts. But old people do it differently. Our Santa Claus puts a gift under the tree. The English and Irish find gifts in a sock, and the Mexicans find gifts in a shoe. Père Noel in France throws gifts into the chimney, and Father Frost in Spain throws gifts onto the balcony. The Swedish Santa Claus puts gifts near the fireplace, and the German one - on the windowsill.

In America - Santa Claus. Gray hair, a neat beard trimmed short and a mustache. Red sheepskin coat, trousers and cap. Dark leather belt with a buckle, it fits over a thick belly. Thin white gloves. Often wears glasses. Smokes a pipe (although Lately tries not to “press” on this element of the image), travels through the air on reindeer, enters the house through the chimney and throws gifts into shoes and stockings left near the fireplace. The children leave milk and chocolate chip cookies for him.

Santa is a middle-aged man, overweight, cheerful and cheerful. Usually one appears, but may be accompanied by gnomes and elves. The name “Santa Claus” first appeared in the press in 1773.

In Azerbaijan - “Saxta Baba”(Mine Baba, literally Father Frost. The same Father Frost, but in blue.

In Armenia - Dzmer Papi(literally Winter grandfather) and Dzyunanushik(literally “Snowy Anush” (Anush is sweet, as well as a female name).

In England - Father Christmas And Santa Claus

In Austria -Sylvester.

In Australia - Santa Claus, Since the climate does not allow wearing a fur coat, here Santa appears in a red bathing suit, but always in a hat with fur.

In Altai - Sook-Taadak.

In Bashkortostan and Tatarstan - Kysh Babai.

In Bulgaria - Dyado Koleda or Dyado Mraz

In Belgium and Poland - St Nicholas.

In Belarus - Father Frost (Dzed Maroz). Dressed in a long fur coat reaching to his toes, leans on a magic staff, does not wear glasses, does not smoke a pipe, leads healthy image life and does not suffer noticeable fullness. The Belarusian Father Frost lives in his residence (since December 25, 2003) on the territory of the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park. It welcomes guests not only in winter, but all year round.

And here Snow Maiden He comes to help Santa Claus only in winter, on holidays. In addition to the actual house of Father Frost, the estate has a separate house for the Snow Maiden - the Treasury (Skarbnitsa), where gifts and letters sent by children are kept. The tallest spruce tree in Europe (40 m), which is 120 years old, grows on the territory of the residence.

Vietnamese the name of the New Year spirit Tao Kuen. It is also called the spirit of the family hearth. On New Year's Eve, he goes to heaven on a carp, which turns into a dragon, to report to the heavenly ruler about the good deeds and actions of all family members. That’s why they put sweets near his image, lots and lots of sweets. Tao Kuen will eat, his lips will stick together - he won’t be able to tell much.

In Holland and the Netherlands - Site-Kaas (Sinter Klaas, Sunderklass). Sinter Klaas arrives on horseback, dressed in a miter and a white bishop's robe, accompanied by his faithful servant, the Moor, nicknamed Black Peter, who carries a bag of gifts for obedient children and rods for disobedient ones.

In Georgia- “Tovlis papa”, “Tovlis babua”

In France- the New Year’s good guy is called “dad” Pere Noel, which means “Father Christmas,” he is dressed all in white. He walks with a staff and wears a wide-brimmed hat and a long fur coat. Used to accompany him Pre Fouettard- literally translated as “father with a whip,” who mercilessly whipped those who did not obey mom and dad. Nowadays Père Noël comes alone more often.There is also another Santa Claus in France - Shaland, an old man with a beard and a fur hat and cloak. And in his basket he stores not gifts, but rods for naughty children.

In Sweden and Denmark- just like in France, there are two Santa Clauses: a stooped grandfather Yultomten(Yolotomten, Yul Tomten) is a little old man who lives in the forest and rides in a cart pulled by foxes. A dwarf with a beard helps him Yulnissar. Both of them are kind and leave gifts for the children on the windowsills for the New Year.

In Germany- Vainachtsman, Christkind, Niemand, Santa Nikolaus. Santa Nikolaus- modern New Year's wizard. He comes with his assistant Knecht Ruprecht, who keeps a journal with detailed description children's actions. In the 19th century. Ruprecht performed not only secretarial duties: he grabbed the most notorious naughty people, put them in a bag or in the huge pocket of his raincoat and carried them into the forest. The oldest New Year's character is Niemand(Nobody). German children blamed him when they were naughty or broke something. On a festive night, he came on a donkey and brought sweets to obedient children. For these sweets, the children put a plate on the table and put hay in their shoes for his donkey. On the evening of December 24, when the Christmas trees are already lit, it comes according to tradition Vainakhtsman(Father Christmas) and Christkind.

Father Christmas is introduced as a friendly old man with a long white beard, a red hat and white fur, a bag of gifts and a rod. Sometimes he goes with him Polznickel. He is dressed rather creepily, in contrast to the beautiful and meek Christkind. He wears a fur coat turned upside down, intercepted by a chain, and in one hand he holds a rod for punishing the disobedient. It is interesting that Polznickel, unlike Vainakhtsman, is trying not to be allowed into the house. He walks the streets, catching people walking, scaring them with his chains and even forcing them to eat onions and garlic, which he specially carries with him.

But Polznickel is not considered evil, but rather stern and fair. It is believed that he scares away evil spirits with his chains. Christkind appears in a white outfit, holding a basket with traditional apples, nuts and sweets. Children could tell Christkind poems and sing songs, and for this they received gifts. Christkind gives gifts only to obedient children, and the disobedient ones are left empty-handed. Christkind is an invention of Martin Luther. Protestants did not recognize Catholic saints, but they wanted to preserve the custom of giving gifts, so Christkind was created, which distributed gifts to Protestant families on Christmas Day, December 25th. Then this image took root and Christkind began to come more often to Catholic families, but Protestant families practically abandoned this character. In German folklore, children put carrots in their shoes for Odin's horse to fly by. And Odin gave them sweets in return.

In Greece and Cyprus- The name is Santa Claus Vasily. Children sing a song: “Saint Basil, where are you, come, Saint Basil, give me happiness, fulfill all my desires.” Here the prototype of the Nativity saint is Basil the Great of Caesarea, a younger contemporary of Nicholas. Saint Basil turned out to be Christmas for the reason that his memory is celebrated by the Greek Church on the first of January. In the guise of a modern Greek St. Vasily has many features from his Western brother. He is depicted as an old man with a white beard who visits houses and gives gifts to children.

In the north of Spain, in the Basque country - Olentzero. He does not part with a flask of good Spanish wine, but he never forgets and gives gifts to children.

In Spain - Papa Noel. The tradition of celebrating the New Year with Santa Claus arose in the country relatively recently. Papa Noel did not appear here by chance, but appeared under the influence of Santa.

It is more common for Spaniards to receive gifts from Magic Kings, but Papa Noel was also welcomed here. Children are especially happy. Now Papa Noel comes to Christmas and New Year, and on January 6 the Magic Kings come with gifts.

In India- the duties of Grandfather Mgoroz are performed by the goddess Lakshmi(goddess of happiness and prosperity). She is described as a goddess of incredible beauty, standing on a lotus and holding a lotus in both hands.

IN Italy- Santa Claus is generally a woman, and not just a woman, but a witch - an old woman Befana(La Befana). In appearance, she resembles Baba Yaga from Russian fairy tales, but unlike Baba Yaga, Befana is terrible on the face, but kind on the inside. She flies on New Year's Eve through the chimney into each child's house and leaves good children gifts, however, some people find coals instead of sweets. These are also candies, only black, with a hint of bitterness. This is how Befana hints to girls and boys: remember, did you behave well last year, did you upset your parents?

There are also Babo Nattale- leaves his sleigh on the roof and enters the house through the chimney, where some milk and sweets are left for him.

In Lithuania - Senelis Shaltis(Elder Frost)

In Kazakhstan - Ayaz-ata literal translation sounds like Grandfather Frost.

In Cambodia (in Kampuchea) - Santa Heat. And the New Year is celebrated there for three days: from April 13 to April 15.

In Kalmykia - Zul.

In Karelia - Pakkaine, which translated from Karelian means Frost. Pakkaine is young. His birthday is December 1st.

In China - Sho Hin, Sheng Dan Laoren or Dong Che Lao Ren. He will definitely visit every Chinese child and leave a gift for each one. Sho Hin is a wise old man who wears silk robes, has a long beard, and has studied Confucius, Wushu and Aikido. He travels around the country on a donkey.

In Colombia - Papa Pascual.

In Karelia - Pakkainen.

In Mongolia -Uvlin Uvgun, and accompany him Zazan Ohin(Snow Maiden) and Tire Vein(New Year boy). New Year in Mongolia coincides with the cattle breeding holiday, so Uvlin Uvgun wears the clothes of a cattle breeder: in a shaggy fur coat and a large fox hat. In his hands he has a long whip, a flint, a flint and a snuffbox. It depends on him whether there will be enough milk and meat for the New Year's table.

In Norway- Gifts are given to children Nisse(Jolinisse) - cute little brownies. Nisse wear knitted caps. They also love tasty things (sweet oatmeal and a piece of butter). Even though the Nisse are caring protectors of the home, they are very vindictive - from damaging livestock to destroying entire farms. And if he wishes, he can become invisible. He loves attics and cupboards. Friendly with pets.

Later, Nisse's image was transformed into Santa's Christmas helper. At the head of the Nisse family is the son of the Nisse who first gave two silver coins to a little girl more than four hundred years ago.

And it was like this: one Nisse accidentally saw a girl who, on Christmas Eve, put out a bowl in the snow so that Nisse would leave some food for her. Nisse put two coins in the bowl. And then he liked this idea so much that every year he began to give coins and sweets to the children. It is Nissa who helps choose the best spruce, worthy of decorating the whole city! They climb to the top of the head itself beautiful Christmas tree and swing on it until people pay attention.

In Savoy - Saint Chalande.

In Ukraine - Father Frost(Santa Claus). But it is Saint Nicholas, and not Father Frost, who brings gifts (mykolaichik) to children on the night of December 18-19 and puts them under the pillow.

In Uzbekistan - “Korbobo(to the delight of the children, on New Year’s Eve he rides into the villages riding on a donkey, himself in a striped robe and a patterned skullcap. And the Snow Maiden is with him Korgyz also wearing a skullcap and she also has many, many braids, like any Uzbek girl.”- I found this information on the Internet, and my Uzbek friend told me this - Cor Bobo(literal translation Black Grandfather or Grandfather) the robe is the same as that of the Russian Father Frost, only the color of the robe has some difference - it is white and blue. There's a girl next to him Kor Kyz, unlike the Russian Snow Maiden, who has a kokoshnik on her head, Kor Kyz has a cap that fits her head.

In Romania - most often you will come across the name Mosh Jarile, but it is not so. Now in Romania they call Santa Claus Mosh Krachun- Christmas in Romanian.According to Romanian legend, the shepherd Craciun sheltered the Virgin Mary. When she gave birth, he gave her and her Child cheese and milk.

Since then, Saint Mosh Kraciun has been giving gifts to children. He comes from the outback of Kodr. Mosh Jarile - a pseudonym during the socialist period - has now returned to its old name.

In Moldova - Mosh Craciun He also has his own retinue - the famous Pekale and Tyndale, as well as other national characters. Mosh Krechun does not wear a red fur coat, but a traditional caftan with a belt decorated with a national pattern, and on his head is a sheep's kusma.

In Russia - Father Frost. A tall, thin, but strong old man. Stern, majestic, unsmiling, but kind and fair. walks in a white, blue or red sheepskin coat, with a long white beard and a staff in his hand, wearing felt boots. The pants are usually hidden under a sheepskin coat and are practically invisible, but the linen pants and shirt are white or decorated with ornaments. Belted with a wide belt. Wears embroidered mittens. Rides three horses. Inseparable from his granddaughter Snegurochka . Sometimes a Snowman can accompany him. Since 1998, Veliky Ustyug has been considered the official residence of Father Frost in Russia. Since 2005 official day The birth of Father Frost is considered to be January 18, when the first severe frosts usually hit Veliky Ustyug. He enters through the door when he is called loudly three times and presents gifts. Or puts gifts under the tree.

In Tuvai - Sook Irey

In Tajikistan - Baboi Barfi

In Finland - Joulupukki. “Youlu” means Christmas, o “pukki” means goat, that is, the Christmas goat. The fact is that many years ago, Santa Claus wore a goat skin and delivered gifts on a goat. Gray hair, neat beard and mustache. Red jacket, pants and cap. Dark leather belt. Required - glasses. He lives on Mount Korvantunturi (“mountain-ear”), either in a hut or in the mountain itself. together with his wife Muori (Maria) and the dwarves. In ancient times, he went from house to house at Christmas (caroling), treated obedient children and punished disobedient ones (for which he carried rods with him). Subsequently, the educational moment was missed. Modern look and the legend are largely taken from the American Santa Claus.

In the Czech Republic and Slovakia - Mikulas - comes on the night of December 5-6, on the eve of St. Nicholas Day. Outwardly similar to our Santa Claus. A long fur coat, a hat, a staff, with the top twisted into a spiral. Only now he brings gifts not in a bag, but in a shoulder box.

And he is not accompanied by the Snow Maiden, but by an angel in snow-white clothes and a shaggy little imp. Mikulas is always happy to give good and obedient children an orange, an apple or some other sweet. But if a hooligan or slacker’s “Christmas boot” contains a potato or a piece of coal, then this is definitely the work of Mikulas.

In Estonia - Jõuluvana and he looks like his Finnish relative Joulupukki.

In Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug- Yamal Iri. In 2007, Yamal had its own Santa Claus, who happily welcomes guests at his residence, gives them gifts, treats and fulfills wishes.. Yamal Iri, created on the basis of children's drawings and works of arts and crafts, “works” in the region all the time year. This is one of the modern grandfathers: he has mobile phone, email, personal website. Yamal Iri travels a lot, spends ritual rite initiation of travelers into the “Northern Brotherhood” on the “Arctic Circle” stela in Salekhard. Yamal Iri, in addition to a wonderful staff, also has a magic tambourine, specially made by Yamal craftsmen for rituals and ceremonies. It is made of deer skin, and stretched on a strong wooden frame. The mallet for the tambourine is made of birch and covered with deer fur. The tambourine is lilac in color and goes harmoniously with the white and clothes of Yamal Iri.

In Japan- two Santa Clauses have recently been competing: Segatsu-san and newbie Oji-san(a modified version of the American Santa). Unlike Oji-san, the traditional Segatsu-san has to go home for a whole week, which the Japanese call “golden”. Dressed in the traditional Segatsu-san in a sky blue kimano. He does not give gifts, but only wishes everyone a Happy New Year. Gifts are given to children by their parents. Segatsu-san is called “Mr. New Year.”

For Japanese Santa Claus, small gates are built in front of houses from bamboo sticks with pine branches. And richer people install dwarf pine, plum or blossoming peach trees - symbols of longevity, love of life and fidelity.

Children celebrate the New Year in new clothes so that next year they will be healthy and lucky. They play hanetsuki, take part in New Year's performances, build houses and figures out of snow (weather permitting), fly kites, and at night put pictures of sailing ships under the pillow so that seven wizards will visit them, seven patrons of happiness.Segatsu-san, lastly

her time is oppressed in every possible way by the young Santa Claus - Oji-san, and although he appeared in Japan quite recently, he has more and more fans. Oji-san brings gifts by sea and gives them to children. Dressed in a traditional red sheepskin coat. The New Year is traditionally heralded by 108 bell strikes, each ringing killing one human vice. There are only six of them: greed, anger, stupidity, frivolity, indecision, envy. There are only 6 of them, but each has 18 shades. Therefore, it turns out to be 108 strokes.

The most popular gift in Japan is a bamboo rake (Kumade), so that you have something to rake in happiness.

Did you know that until relatively recently - 200 years ago, our Santa Claus had nothing in common with the good-natured grandfather. And he was a mischievous little old man who loved to freeze everything. But the Russian Santa Claus became more mature only at the end of the 19th century. Then he began to come to Christmas trees and bring gifts.

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Tells you what the main characters look like New Year's holidays V different countries ah peace.

Tovlis Babua (Georgia)

Tovlis babua is translated from Georgian as “snow grandfather”. This is a gray-haired old man with a long beard. He is dressed in a black or white chokha with a white burka “nabadi”, and on his head he has a traditional Svan hat. Tovlis Babua brings gifts to children in a large “khurdzhini” bag.

Father Frost (Russia)

© photo: Sputnik / Evgeniy Biyatov

In his hands, Santa Claus holds a crystal staff with a bull's head - a symbol of fertility and happiness. He rides in a painted sleigh drawn by three snow-white horses. The fairy-tale hero is accompanied by his granddaughter, the Snow Maiden.

Santa Claus (USA, Canada, Australia, Western Europe)

© photo: Sputnik / Maxim Bogodvid

Santa Claus is not wearing a fur coat, but a short red jacket. He has a red cap on his head, and his usual glasses on his nose. Santa rides across the sky on a sleigh drawn by reindeer, with a retinue of elves and gifts. Santa Claus places gifts for children under the Christmas tree, as well as in socks helpfully hung over the fireplace. Santa enters the house through the chimney.

Jollupukki (Finland)

© photo: Sputnik / Pavel Lisitsyn

At Yollupukki long hair, he wears a tall cone-shaped hat and red clothes. He is surrounded by gnomes in peaked hats and capes with white fur. Yollupukki's hut is located on the mountain. His wife Muori and the gnomes live in it. Finnish Santa Claus wears a goatskin jacket with leather belt and a red cap.

Jõuluvana (Estonia)

© photo: Sputnik / Vadim Zhernov

Jõuluvana is similar to its Finnish relative Joulupukki: long White hair, a snow-white beard, a red sheepskin coat and a cone-shaped cap with a pompom. He doesn't dress up in goatskin, but reindeer He also has assistants - gnomes. And Yyuluvan’s wife is Mother Winter.

Sinter Klaas (Holland)

© AFP / REMKO DE WAAL

Sintaklaas is an old man with a white beard and hair, wearing a red robe and miter, riding a white horse. He has a big book that contains gifts for all the children, their names and addresses. Sintaklaas arrives on a ship, accompanied by black servants.

Père-Noël and Saint-Chalandes (France)

© AFP / MYCHELE DANIAU

There are two Santa Clauses in France. One is called Père-Noël. He is kind and brings gifts to the children in a basket. The second Santa Claus is called Shaland - he is a bearded old man who wears a fur hat and a warm traveling raincoat. His basket contains rods for naughty and lazy children.

Kahand Pap (Armenia)

© photo: Sputnik / Asatur Yesayants

The Armenian Father Frost is surrounded by fairy-tale creatures: Khlvliks - noisy and active little men and Aralez - half animals, half people. Kahand Pap goes to congratulate the children on their granddaughter Dzyunanushik.

Korbobo (Uzbekistan)

© photo: Sputnik / Roman Khasaev

He is dressed in a striped robe made of national fabric and a festive red skullcap. Corbobo is accompanied by his granddaughter Korkiz. He uses a small donkey for transport.

Zyuzya (Belarus)

Depicted as a bald grandfather short stature, with a long gray beard. He walks barefoot, without a hat, in a white casing. In his hand is an iron mace. His breath is a strong cold. His tears are icicles. Frost - frozen words. And the hair is like snow clouds. He really doesn't like those who complain about the cold. © AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda

Romanian teacher dressed as Santa Claus in Bucharest

Mosh Kraciun wears a mustache and beard. He is dressed in a red sheepskin coat just below the knees with the corresponding ornament of ancient times, and behind his shoulders is a bag called desaga. And all this is done with national ornaments. Mosh Krechun is wearing sheep's wool on his head, and on his feet instead of felt boots are poles. He is accompanied by characters from national fairy tales - Gugutsa and Fulgutsa.