Who is Santa Claus??? The question of who is the direct ancestor of Santa Claus is very controversial. In some countries, local gnomes are considered the ancestors of Santa Claus, in others - medieval wandering jugglers who sang Christmas songs, and in others - wandering sellers of children's toys. The image of Santa Claus has evolved over centuries, and each nation has contributed something of its own to its history.
Among the ancestors of Grandfather Frost, it turns out, there was quite real person. In the 4th century AD e. Archbishop Nicholas lived in the Turkish city of Mira. It was very kind person, and after his death Nicholas was declared a saint for his good deeds. In the 11th century, the church where he was buried was robbed by Italian pirates. They stole the remains of the saint and took them to their homeland. The parishioners of the Church of St. Nicholas were outraged. This story caused so much noise that Nicholas became the object of veneration and worship of Christians from different countries peace.
In the Middle Ages, a custom was firmly established: on St. Nicholas Day, December 19, to give gifts to children, and this is exactly what the saint himself did. After the introduction of the new calendar, the saint began to come to children at Christmas, and then on New Year.
Santa Claus is called differently everywhere.
And if we talk about the origin of our dear (domestic) Father Frost, then his direct ancestor is the East Slavic spirit of cold Treskun (Studenets, Frost). Since the New Year began to be celebrated in Russia, old grandfather, with a beard, wearing felt boots. He carried a bag of gifts in one hand and a stick in the other. Then Santa Claus was not a cheerful old man who sang songs. He gave gifts, of course, but only to the smartest and most obedient, and the rest got a good beating with a stick. But the years passed, and Santa Claus grew older and kinder: he stopped handing out blows, and began to simply intimidate bad children scary tales. But nowadays, Santa Claus no longer punishes or scares anyone, but only distributes gifts and makes everyone happy at the New Year’s tree. The stick turned into a magic staff, which not only warms all living things in severe frosts, but also helps Grandfather Frost play different games with the children. funny games. Over time, Grandfather had a granddaughter, Snegurochka, who began to help deliver gifts and tell fairy tales.
Santa Claus didn’t get his suit right away either. At first he was depicted wearing a cloak. TO early XIX centuries, the Dutch generally depicted him as a slender pipe smoker, skillfully cleaning chimneys through which he threw gifts to children. Towards the end of the same century, he was dressed in a red fur coat trimmed with fur. And soon the Englishman Tenniel created the image of a good-natured fat man, who is known to everyone today: to some as Santa Claus, and to us as Father Frost.
The position of Santa Claus is an honorable one and not every Santa Claus is real. There are even Santa Claus Academies. The training program includes: a theoretical course on the history of Santa Claus, practice in creative workshops. After completing the training, students receive diplomas. Real Grandfather Frost knows a lot of jokes and jokes, riddles and games, songs and dances. In 12 strokes, he manages to go around all the houses and put gifts under pillows, under Christmas trees and in other most unexpected places. All year until New Year's Eve, Father Frost lives in the Far North, although he also has a couple of houses - in Lapland and in Ustyug. But wherever he is, he diligently crafts and prepares new gifts for the next New Year.
And even if not everyone believes that Santa Claus exists, everyone rejoices when they see this ruddy old man, who, despite his advanced age, dances, dances and has fun, turning the New Year into a real holiday.
Some may be surprised, but our Father Frost was never related to either the Christian saints or the American Santas. His family tree is rooted in the most ancient paganism. Slavic folklore awarded this unkind winter spirit with many characteristic nicknames - Morozko, Studenets, Treskunets, Karachun, Zimnik. At first, this character did not suffer from any altruism, he was not distinguished by holiness - he froze little people in vain, and, of course, he did not give gifts. On the contrary, HIM was cajoled. On the eve of Christmas, they came out to the door with a spoonful of kutya or jelly and shouted: “Frost, Frost! Come eat some jelly; Frost, Frost! Don’t hit our oats (or any other plant)!”
In general, as you understand, he was a stern, cold guy, and even his icy love smelled of death. This image was best captured in N. Nekrasov’s poem “Red Nose Frost.” I remember that when I first picked it up, I expected to meet a sweet New Year’s old man...
“...It is not the wind that rages over the forest,
Streams did not run from the mountains -
Moroz the voivode on patrol
Walks around his possessions.
Looks to see if the snowstorm is good
The forest paths have been taken over,
And are there any cracks, crevices,
And is there any bare ground somewhere?
Are the tops of the pines fluffy?
Is the pattern on oak trees beautiful?
And are the ice floes tightly bound?
In great and small waters?
He walks - walks through the trees,
Cracking on frozen water
AND bright sun plays
In his shaggy beard..."
Frost the governor.
And now a little further: 
“...I love in deep graves
Dressing the dead in frost,
And freeze the blood in my veins,
And the brain in my head is freezing.
... Without chalk, I’ll whiten my whole face,
And your nose will burn with fire,
And I’ll freeze my beard like that
To the reins - even chop with an axe!
I'm rich, I don't count the treasury
And everything is not lacking in goodness;
I'm taking away my kingdom
In diamonds, pearls, silver.
Come into my kingdom with me
And be the queen in it!
Let's reign gloriously in winter,
And in the summer we’ll fall asleep deeply.”
It’s probably not worth saying that it was the first excerpt, where Moroz looks like a respectable commander and wizard without any criminal-necrophilic habits, that ended up in children’s collections and anthologies.
The image of Father Frost in fairy tales also began to soften. Already in folk tale“Morozko,” this gray-bearded old man, although he mocks lonely girls, giving them a test of frost resistance, in the end he rewards for patience and politeness, and punishes for rudeness (the punishment, however, is again too strict). As they say: “Strict but fair.”
In 1840, Prince V. Odoevsky published another landmark fairy tale - “Moroz Ivanovich”. In it, the image of our hero undergoes further transformation. Here again two antagonist girls are involved, but events do not develop in winter forest, and at the bottom of a cold well. The first girl climbs into this well for a fallen bucket, and as a result meets Moroz Ivanovich there - a stately grandfather with a white beard (“He shakes his head - frost falls”). Grandfather lives in an ice palace and sleeps on snow feather beds. He gives gifts to the guest, but not for beautiful eyes and not even for politeness, but for the good performance of housework. Although the lazy girl doesn’t receive any gifts, unlike Morozko’s heroine, she gets home safe and sound.
While the kind grandfather gradually crystallized from the formidable winter “terminator”, many years passed. And by this time christmas tree arrived in time. The fact is that although Peter I ordered in 1699 by the royal will to “count” the New Year from January 1 (and not September 1, as it was before) and to decorate houses with Christmas trees, the people did not immediately accept this innovation. At first, Christmas tree celebrations were organized by foreigners, mostly Germans, and then somehow our people got involved. Only in 1852 was the first public Christmas tree erected in St. Petersburg! It is not surprising that the role of the one who stands under the tree and gives gifts was first claimed by Western characters - from grandfather Nikolai to the German old Ruphert. Soon the saints and Germans fell away, and our man remained next to the tree - “a true Slav with a Nordic character.” The only worthy competition for him was the Christmas angels.
However, Father Frost did not immediately gain all-Russian popularity, remaining at the beginning of the twentieth century. participant only in city celebrations. The rural population celebrated Christmas in the old fashioned way, limiting itself to church and carols. And then the revolution broke out! But about the Soviet Santa Claus next time... 
Father Frost. Same:
In the USA - Santa Claus
Finland – Joulupki
Netherlands – Sinter Klaas
Japan – Segatsu-san
Sweden – Jul Tomten
France – Père Noël
Italy – Bob Natale
Turkey – Noel Baba
Karelia – Pakkaine
Germany – Weinachtsman
Kazakhstan – Kolotun Aga
Romania – Mos Jarile
Norway – Ylebukk
Denmark – Yletomte
Serbia, Croatia – Deda Mraz
China – Shandan Laozhen
Czech Republic, Slovakia – Mikulas
Crete – St. Basil
Belgium – St. Nicholas (comes with assistant Black Pirate)
Austria – St. Nicholas (comes with assistant Krampus)
Uzbekistan – Kerbobo
Yakutia – Grandfather Dyyl (Snow Maiden – Kharchaana)
Altai – Sook Taadak
Kalmykia - Zul.
Bad habits: Likes to sneak into other people's houses.
Social status: Single.
Children: Granddaughter Snegurochka.
Place of birth: Veliky Ustyug.
On November 18, Russia officially celebrates the birthday of Father Frost. For the little ones, Grandfather Frost is a kind and cheerful wizard who can make any wish come true. For adults, Santa Claus is a memory of childhood that cannot be returned, about happy moments that we will never forget. All adults turn into children in New Year's Eve! Waiting for a miracle and fulfillment of desires!
Unlike the main New Year's wizard, the “granddaughter” does not drink, does not bring gifts, but rather endures Santa Claus, who is oversaturated with “magic.”
But who exactly is the Snow Maiden and what secrets does this New Year’s image hide?The first and most amazing secret of the Snow Maiden lies in its absolute uniqueness. Of course, the modern Russian Snow Maiden may have Belarusian, Ukrainian and even Kazakh sisters, however, in essence, they are all a continuation of one image, which was finally formed along with the Soviet tradition of celebrating the New Year.
So, there are no analogues of the Snow Maiden in the world, except for the dubious image of the wife of Santa Claus.
Moreover, unlike Father Frost, the Snow Maiden is not recorded in Russian folk ritual.
Despite this, the Snow Maiden has been with us for a long time - from the very moment when a fairy tale about a girl made of snow who came to life appeared in Russian folklore.
Film "The Snow Maiden" directed by Pavel Kadochnikov. Lenfilm. 1969 USSR. In the photo: Evgenia Filonova as the Snow Maiden. Photo: www.russianlook.comOf course, at that time this girl had nothing to do with the New Year or gifts.
According to one version, the story of the Snow Maiden comes directly from the Kostroma funeral ritual.
The Slavic funeral rite of Kostroma represented a farewell to winter and at the same time a request to the forces of nature for the fertility of the lands. According to one version of the ritual, the effigy of the girl was drowned in the river, according to the second, it was burned at the stake, like Maslenitsa. In another version, Kostroma got drunk to death with wine at a merry feast, which makes it very close to all lovers of New Year's table gatherings.
One way or another, the forerunner of the Snow Maiden, Kostroma, was dealt with quite deliberately. And the death of a girl made of snow while jumping over a fire is, if you like, a lighter version of the ritual story.
If Kostroma, who was also the goddess of fertility, had, according to the Slavs, a rather contradictory character, then Snegurochka initially looked like a kind and naive girl.
History of the ascent
Translated the Snow Maiden from folklore into literary characters Russian folklore collector Alexander Afanasyev, who in 1867 placed fairy tales about the Snow Maiden in the second volume of his study “Poetic views of the Slavs on nature.”
In 1873, playwright Alexander Ostrovsky, impressed by the work of Afanasyev, wrote the play “The Snow Maiden”. In this story, the Snow Maiden appears in the image familiar to us today - a pale blonde in blue and white winter clothes. It is here that the Snow Maiden first encounters Father Frost, who turns out to be her... dad. And the mother is Vesna-Krasna, who cannot resist the male charisma of the gray-bearded magician. However, Ostrovsky’s story of the Snow Maiden is not a happy one: left in people’s care, she becomes a victim of misunderstanding and jumping over the fire.It is interesting that Ostrovsky’s play was received very coldly, and it is unknown what career would have awaited the Snow Maiden if the composer had not gotten involved in the matter in 1882 Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. His opera based on the play “The Snow Maiden” was a wild success, after which the ice girl began to move towards the status of the second New Year’s face.
Even in the pre-revolutionary period, Russian teachers began to use the image of the Snow Maiden in Christmas tree scenarios. True, as a rule, we are talking about staging certain scenes from Ostrovsky’s play with her participation. Also, Snow Maiden figurines are beginning to be hung on the Christmas tree as decoration.
And yet, at that moment, the Snow Maiden remained exclusively minor character. The decisive transformation came in 1935, when the Soviet Union began to officially celebrate the New Year.
Now the Snow Maiden has become " right hand» Santa Claus, a mediator in communication between him and children at matinees. At the same time, for a reason that is not entirely clear, their relationship status changed. If Ostrovsky's Snow Maiden was the daughter of Father Frost, then in new version she appeared as his granddaughter.
Father Frost and Snow Maiden with children at the New Year tree. Photo: RIA Novosti
Although it cannot be ruled out that this Snow Maiden is actually the daughter of the one who melted while jumping over the fire. In any case, the Soviet Snow Maiden had no tendency to melt.
At the celebration of the New Year, 1937, Father Frost and the Snow Maiden appeared together for the first time at the Christmas tree in the Moscow House of Unions. It is interesting that at that time the Snow Maiden appeared in the form of a little girl and only after some time she “grew up”.
Tower on Lagernaya street
It is quite possible that this change in texture was caused solely by practical considerations - after all, students of theater schools and aspiring theater performers coped with the roles of hostesses of children's matinees much better than elementary school students.
Unlike Father Frost, the fate of the Snow Maiden hung in the balance for some time - for example, during the war period this image disappeared from the New Year holidays.The Snow Maiden was saved by two famous Soviet writers -Lev Kassil And Sergey Mikhalkov. It was they who wrote the scripts for the Kremlin Christmas trees in the early 1950s, and made the granddaughter of Father Frost a mandatory participant in the performances. Only after this did the Snow Maiden finally “stake out” a place for herself near the Christmas tree.
The Snow Maiden is so kind and harmless that she constantly finds herself hostage to various evil spirits who have material claims against Santa Claus. In my memory, the Snow Maiden only once took the initiative, helping out her grandfather. In the cartoon “When the Christmas Trees Light Up,” the atypically determined Snow Maiden went on a sleigh to the capital in order to bring gifts lost by Santa Claus. And she coped with her task perfectly.
The Snow Maiden is now an independent girl, and she has her own residence located in Kostroma. It was in these parts, in the Shchelykovo estate, that the playwright Alexander Ostrovsky and wrote a play about the Snow Maiden. In terms of the number of visitors, “Terem Snegurochka” may well give a head start to the residence of Father Frost in Veliky Ustyug.
The only oddity regarding the Snow Maiden’s habitat is her Kostroma address - the granddaughter of Father Frost lives on Lagernaya Street, house 38.
Distant relatives or just acquaintances?
The most stubborn seekers of Western analogues believe that the Snow Maiden has something in common with Saint Lucia, who in Germany and the Scandinavian countries, during the period of the ban on the cult of saints and, in particular, Saint Nicholas, acted as a Christmas giver of gifts to children. In the countries of Scandinavia and Finland, the feast of St. Lucia, celebrated on December 13, has survived to this day, and serves as a kind of prelude to Christmas.
There is also the Italian Befana, either an old woman or a young woman, who appears to children on the night of Epiphany and places gifts for obedient children in pre-prepared socks. Befana puts ash in the socks of bad children. By the way, this lady is also well known to Russian children - a slightly modified image of her was described by Gianni Rodari in his “Journey of the Blue Arrow.”
Malanka is also mentioned, participating in the New Year's rituals of Bassarabia, Podolia and Galicia.
However, all these ladies, of course, cannot be compared with our unique and inimitable Snow Maiden, who every year saves children from embarrassment in front of the gray-bearded magical old man, and then meekly delivers the spoiled Santa Claus to his abode. That is why Snegurochka is exclusively our character, in which every Russian woman can see herself.
© Public Domain / Ministry of Communications of the USSR
© Public Domain / Ministry of Communications of the USSR
© Public Domain / Ministry of Communications of the USSR
© Public Domain / Ministry of Communications of the USSR
©
New Year is coming soon. Its most long-awaited hero is Father Frost, he gives gifts and brings joy to children. We are used to it, but we don’t know much about it.
Supporters of the New Year's myth insist that the cult of Santa Claus is almost more ancient than all religions, that he came into our lives from Slavic pre-Christian mythology. There is some truth in this, only that Frost, who existed in pagan traditions, was not at all that good-natured grandfather... The etymology of the current Father Frost is found in Odoevsky’s fairy tale mid-19th century, but the discrepancy between the fabulous Moroz Ivanovich and the cult of the current Father Frost is obvious. The difference is at least that in pedagogical fairy tale Russian writer Moroz Ivanovich is more of a spring character, but not a winter one.
The truth is that the cult of Santa Claus is quite young. He tried to establish himself in pre-revolutionary Russia by analogy with the Western cult of St. Nicholas, but, not having time to gain strength, was broken by the Bolsheviks. The second birth of the image occurred in the late 30s, when for ideological reasons it was beneficial to create a neo-pagan cult of Santa Claus. That is, Santa Claus was revived as a propaganda tool. As an example: Santa Claus on Soviet postcards 1944 is depicted with a pipe in his mouth. What is he doing? Drives out the fascists.
Where do the gifts come from?
The idea that Santa Claus brings gifts on New Year's Day is also quite young. Children in late XIX centuries, they were sure that Christmas trees were brought simply by Frost, old Ruprecht (German influence of the cult), but not yet by Father Frost. In general, there was an idea that the one we know today as Father Frost brought only Christmas trees, but he was not the one who put gifts under them. In accordance with Christmas Christmas tree myth, children were usually told that the baby Jesus sent gifts. It’s clear now why Soviet era Grandfather Frost himself began to bring gifts, having created a magic bag for these purposes.
Veliky Ustyug?
The story of the homeland of Santa Claus is just a song. Arkhangelsk was considered the first permanent residence of Santa Claus. Grandfather settled there on the initiative of the regional committee of the Komsomol, supported then, at the very end of the 80s, by the directors of the Arkhangelsk sea trade port, the military Sevmashplant, and other large enterprises. Father Frost also lived in Lapland, and since 1998, on the initiative of Yuri Mikhailovich Luzhkov, Father Frost received a residence in Veliky Ustyug.
It is clear that the struggle to be called the homeland of Father Frost goes beyond the fairy-tale context; it includes production, paraphernalia, and tourism. A lot of money. What is really worth thinking about is that Ustyug is the birthplace of the first fool for Christ, Procopius of Ustyug, which means it is a prayed-up land with a deep Orthodox tradition.
Santa vs Father Frost?
It’s somehow easier in the West. There is Christmas - one of the main Christian holidays. Family holiday. Archie Lee, the brilliant Coca-Cola advertiser, mixed in the cult of Santa Claus. He delivers gifts. It can be placed on labels (because images of children are prohibited). OK.
Our Father Frost brings gifts for a reason. It’s also not easy to get hold of. And then read out the poems you have learned. And then lead another round dance, holding hands. It’s good that children are not forced to run cross-country. Our Father Frost only looks like their Santa Claus, but no more. Our Father Frost is more like a strict father or a strict grandfather. In his mythology there is a cause-and-effect relationship. He studied well, learned a poem - well done, for a gift. Both the notes in the diary and the grandmothers transferred across the road count. A kind of Old Testament principle of “an eye for an eye.”
Tradition
Urban folklore is cynical and merciless. The number of jokes about drunken Santa Claus that have been around from generation to generation, of course, did not appear out of nowhere. Nowadays, event agencies can provide Santa Clauses for every taste, but previously the role of Santa Claus was played by neighbors. One suit for everyone - and they went through the courtyards and entrances. In every house they will also pour it. And then jokes about “Santa Claus has a red nose” run through confetti-strewn snowdrifts, and then they make New Year’s films where main character- a victim of alcoholic delirium... Such is the tradition.
The New Year is inextricably linked with the corresponding attributes: a fragrant Christmas tree, garlands and Christmas decorations, the Snow Maiden, and, of course, her grandfather. Few people know how it appeared, and hardly anyone knows that at first it was negative character. Once upon a time, instead of a warm, elegant fur coat, he wore a cloak, beat naughty children with a staff, and was almost crippled, having three fingers on his hands. Intrigued? Then let's move on to history.
Fear of Morok
Russian Father Frost is associated with good magic, fun and gifts that children find under the tree and in New Year's boots, such as this one.
However, it's not that simple: Eastern Slavs he was once considered an evil winter spirit and called Morok, who is also mentioned as the god of cold and winter. Scientists studying the life of the ancient Slavs are sure that the word “frost” came from “trouble.”
Morok was considered the embodiment of evil and icy cold and was represented as a hunchbacked, sloppy old man, shod in bast shoes and dressed in a linen shirt. Where he passed, the earth, rivers and forests turned into an icy kingdom: he shackled everything with frost. It was precisely the ability to transform the living into the dead that made the appearance of the old man so ominous: the Slavs believed that anyone who got in his way would turn into a piece of ice. This is where the expressions “get confused” and “faint” come from.
Subsequently, fear gave way to curiosity, and people identified a number of signs, for example, that snowy and cold winters turn into fruitful summers and autumns. To get more harvests, they began to lure Morok on Maundy Thursday and holy week, displaying kutya or pancakes on the porch. They say that the bait worked like a charm: in the morning there was no food on the porch, and Christmas and Holy Days were freezing cold.
From an evil god to a good wizard
The change in attitude towards the old man, who had been considered an evil spirit for several centuries, was expressed in a change in image. He “got rid of” his rags and bast shoes, and dressed up in felt boots, a good fur coat and a warm hat.
The new staff was decorated with a bull's head, symbolizing happiness and fertility. Although his hands still appeared to have three fingers, they were now wearing warm gloves.
But with appearance so far it was problematic: the deity remained angry and shaggy, with the nickname Student or Treskunts.
Not Morok, but Moroz Ivanovich!
When the Baptism of Rus' took place and paganism was uprooted in every possible way, Morok was forgotten, but he was not replaced by anyone.
The first mention of it appeared only in the 19th century, and even then it was not our usual Russian Santa Claus, but Nikolai Ugodnik (the Wonderworker). Saint Nicholas is a kind old man, famous for his selflessness and willingness to help anyone in need. Under Alexander II, his image first became associated with the New Year and Christmas holidays, but then the residence of Father Frost in Russia was not yet mentioned. Nikolai visited houses and gave children gifts that they found under the Christmas tree or in a Christmas boot.
Only closer to the beginning of the 20th century did Father Frost receive his current status.
He was “dressed up” in a long-sleeved red (blue) painted fur coat, trimmed with thick fur, a warm hat and felt boots. The staff was decorated with a tip - a star.
This is how Father Frost appeared in Russia, who then, according to legend, lived in a huge ice palace and slept on snow feather beds. No one knew where exactly the elder’s palace stood.
Vladimir Odoevsky nicknamed the wizard Moroz Ivanovich, because it is inappropriate to call an adult simply by name. Santa Claus became a favorite of children and adults, although his gifts still had to be earned: they were received only by those who behaved well in the past year. Only obedient and diligent children received sweets and gingerbread. Loafers and dirty guys got an ice icicle, and evil crooks got a blow to the forehead with a staff!
When the revolution happened, they forgot about the good wizard and even began to persecute those who did not want to give up traditions. But a little later, in 1936, he appeared again at children's parties - already accompanied by his granddaughter Snegurochka.
Our updated Russian Santa Claus has turned into the ultimate good-natured man, turning his staff from an instrument of punishment into a magic remote control for the Christmas tree lights!
Gifts became more accessible: both a quitter and a slob could receive them, as long as he recited a New Year's rhyme he had learned by heart or sang a song.
Closer to the 90s, a residence appeared in Russia - first in Arkhangelsk, later in Veliky Ustyug, where it is still located today. Many Russian children write letters to him, indicating the gifts they want, and everyone knows that their wish will certainly come true, because Santa Claus is the embodiment of a good miracle, for which children's hearts are waiting with bated breath!
All people love to receive gifts. Children believe that a good wizard brings them while they sleep. Adults, wanting to please their loved ones, choose the most suitable souvenirs for the New Year and place them under the Christmas tree. Everyone is so pleased to join in creating the wonderful and joyful mood that reigns on this holiday that it is time to believe in the fairy tale and its main sorcerer, whom each nation calls in its own way. It remains to understand where Santa Claus lives and where New Year's magic comes to us from.
There are several versions of the appearance of Father Frost in Rus'. The ancient Slavs had a belief about the master of winter and cold weather. His name was Morozko and was described as an angry old man with a long white beard. He ruled the earth from November to March, and everyone was afraid of his ability to send colds and blizzards.
The elder was strict but fair. He punished the lazy and evil people and gave gifts to the kind and sympathetic. Since then, parents have been persuading their children to be obedient so that Santa Claus will fulfill their wishes and bring good gifts.
According to another version, which arose after the advent of Christianity, the prototype of Santa Claus was Nicholas the Wonderworker, who lived in the 3rd century. Even in childhood the future saint constantly did good deeds and, as best he could, helped those around him.
Having become an archbishop in Lycia, he defended unfairly persecuted and kidnapped children, repeatedly saved sailors during a storm, offering prayers to God and calming the sea. Many more magical deeds and extraordinary generosity towards people are attributed to him.
Nicholas the Wonderworker lived to a ripe old age and wore a gray beard, which gives historians and researchers reason to consider him Santa Claus.
Children dream of seeing magic with their own eyes. “Where does Santa Claus live?” is the most frequently asked question to parents on New Year's Eve.
Someone answers that he lives in lands covered with snow, where multi-colored northern lights shimmer in the sky.
Others believe that the good sorcerer comes on a reindeer sleigh from Lapland.
Many people believe that Santa Claus lives in Russia, in the city of Veliky Ustyug. Since 1999, this place has been officially considered his residence.
Go on an excursion to the wizard's house - interesting adventure both for children and adults.
The city of Veliky Ustyug - brief information
So where does Father Frost live in Russia? Of course, in the north, or rather, in a small city located in the Vologda region at the source of the Northern Dvina River.
The distance to it from Moscow is 920 km. The population is 31 thousand people.
The city was founded in the 12th century by princes from Rostov and Suzdal. The settlement was constantly subject to raids and plunders, until in the 14th century it became part of the Ustyug Principality. The city grew due to advantageous position close to trade routes and finally strengthened its position by joining the Grand Duchy of Moscow.
The damage to its economy was caused by Peter I after the victory over the Swedes and the opening of navigation on Baltic Sea. Merchants gradually left the city, which had lost its trade and transport significance. They were replaced by artisans who became famous throughout Russia for their skillful blackening of silver.
In the 18th century there was a terrible fire in Veliky Ustyug, after which at that time county town The Vologda province had to be rebuilt from scratch. Since Soviet times, it has belonged to the Vologda region. Now its name is widely known due to the presence of Father Christmas and the opening of a modern amusement park.
City sights
Most of the architectural monuments are located along the banks of the Sukhona River. Stand on one side ancient temples Dymkovskaya settlement, built and consecrated in the 14th century.
On the opposite bank is the Cathedral Courtyard, distinctive feature which consists of many churches built next to each other. In Veliky Ustyug, despite the fire, many ancient monasteries, cathedrals and bell towers have been preserved. Icons and church utensils for centuries, church premises were carefully hidden from looting, so at the moment they are interior decoration has enormous historical value.
The Museum of Ancient Russian Art presents interesting examples of ancient icon painting and sewing, as well as tools, books and chronicles. There you can get acquainted with the development of architecture in the northeast of Russia.
IN former house Merchant Usov opened the Museum of the History of Veliky Ustyug. It hosts lectures on the importance of the city in the development of the northern lands. It also tells about the struggle of the population with the tribes that attacked the 12th century settlement. The weapons and military equipment of that time have been preserved, as they were stored in the basement of one of the monasteries. There are unusual artifacts found at excavations by archaeologists.
The Veliky Ustyug Patterns factory presents boxes, boxes and baskets assembled from birch bark and decorated with carvings and paintings. Many products are for sale. Tourists love keychains and cup holders that will remind them of their visit to the city.
In the homeland of Father Frost there must be an exhibition dedicated only to him. The Museum of New Year's and Christmas Toys is famous for its Christmas tree decorations and collection greeting cards pre-revolutionary and Soviet Russia. The path to the magical residence begins from this museum.
The most popular attraction of the city is the House of Father Frost. This is a large wooden tower surrounded by pine and spruce trees. The architecture of the house is so unusual that it is easy to believe that it belongs to a fairy tale.
You can walk around it for hours, looking at strange things and rooms where Santa Claus lives and works. There is also his throne, on which guests are allowed to sit. The visit to the real hero of legends ends with the extraction of a gift from a large chest standing in the Throne Room.
At the residence of Father Frost there is a real Russian village, where guests are treated to Russian cuisine, rides in a sleigh and on a train. Playgrounds, attractions and shops with souvenirs and toys are open for children. Interesting trip can be done along the Fairy Tale Trail. IN pine forest The houses of the wise Owl, Lesovichok and a magic well were built. Their inhabitants themselves greet guests and lead them through the forest.
The exact address for letters to Santa Claus
In Veliky Ustyug in a separate wooden house Santa Claus's Post Office operates uninterruptedly. This is where children can send letters telling them about the gifts they want and ask the wizard to put them under the Christmas tree on the holiday.
Address to which you should write: 162390, Russia, Vologda region, Veliky Ustyug, Santa Claus Post Office or to the website: pochta-dm.ru.
The building displays local items folk art, which can be purchased and sent to friends and family along with a postcard, which will bear the signature and seal of the owner of the house.
IN Western Europe And North America children believe in Santa Claus. The legend about him is based on a miracle performed by St. Nicholas in Lycia. The daughters of one poor city dweller could not get married because they were without dowries. Having learned about this, Saint Nicholas threw wallets with gold coins into their chimney. His gifts fell into the girls' shoes, which helped them find suitors.
That is why on Christmas Eve in Europe it is customary to place boots or hang stockings by the fireplace. Santa Claus flies on a sleigh pulled by reindeer and enters the house through the chimney. He has a retinue consisting of evil and good fairy-tale creatures. Depending on the behavior in the past year, the child will receive a gift from Santa or the wiles of Krampus.
The rest of the time the wizard lives above the Arctic Circle, in Lapland. The path to the sorcerer's house is known only to his faithful deer and gnomes; it is difficult for people to find their way to him.
On the Finnish part Arctic Circle Mount Korvatunturi stands, looking like a huge ear. Requests from children from all over the world reach Santa through him, and he prepares gifts in advance for the next Christmas. His residence, where he meets guests in his free hours, is located in Kuhmo, not far from the famous mountain.
There you can ride a reindeer sleigh or climb into a grotto to explore Santa’s home or watch the gnomes at work. A lot of entertainment and souvenir shops attract tourists from all over the world.
In addition, you can also write a letter to the local wizard and send it to his personal email.
Conclusion
Despite the loss of illusions, adults, like children, need to know where Santa Claus lives in order to briefly return to childhood. This carefree time is remembered with joy, because then there was faith in miracles, and in new year holidays it was coming true. It doesn’t matter that the parents put the gifts under the tree. Finding them the next morning was such a joy!
The idea of meeting Santa Claus brings anticipation extraordinary events. Children will be full of impressions from a trip to his magical home, meeting fairy tale characters and walking through a snowy forest. The sorcerer looks just like a real one, so the hope of fulfilling your cherished desires will last a lifetime.
My name is Julia Jenny Norman and I am an author of articles and books. I cooperate with the publishing houses "OLMA-PRESS" and "AST", as well as with glossy magazines. Currently I help promote virtual reality projects. I have European roots, but I spent most of my life in Moscow. There are many museums and exhibitions here that charge you with positivity and give inspiration. IN free time I study French medieval dances. I am interested in any information about that era. I offer you articles that can captivate you with a new hobby or simply give you pleasant moments. You need to dream about something beautiful, then it will come true!