Santa Clauses from around the world. Pedigree of the German Santa Claus What is the name of the German Santa Claus

Santa Clauses from different countries

Russia

Character: Santa Claus

Father Frost(Morozko, Treskun, Studenets) - Slavic mythological character, lord of the winter cold. The ancient Slavs imagined him in the form of a short old man with a long gray beard. His breath is a strong cold. His tears are icicles. Frost - frozen words. And the hair is like snow clouds. Frost's wife is Winter itself. In winter, Frost runs through fields, forests, streets and knocks with his staff. From this knock, the bitter frost freezes rivers, streams, and puddles with ice. And if he hits the corner of the hut with his staff, the log will certainly crack. Morozko really doesn’t like those who shiver and complain about the cold. And the cheerful and cheerful are given bodily strength and a hot glow. From November to March the frost is so strong that even the sun becomes shy before it.

Father Frost first appeared in the USSR at Christmas in 1910, but did not become widespread. In Soviet times, a new image was widespread: he appeared to children on New Year's Eve and gave gifts, this image was created by Soviet filmmakers in the 1930s.

Germany

Character: Santa Nikolaus and Vainachtsman

There are two winter grandfathers in Germany. One of them - Santa Nicolaus who is inseparable from his servant Ruprecht, but he brings gifts (and not only gifts, but also rods for those who are guilty) to children not on Christmas, but on December 6, on St. Nicholas Day. Ruprecht was “educated” to the extent that in medieval Catholic schools in Germany a priest came to children with gifts, and the peasants, in turn, preferred to see an ordinary farm laborer in his place. So the farmhand became Ruprecht, and the priest turned into Santa Nikolaus.

But on Christmas night itself, he comes to the German children Vainakhtsman- an exact copy of the Russian Father Frost. In Germany, Santa Claus appears on a donkey. Before going to bed, children put a plate on the table for the gifts that Santa Claus will bring them, and put hay in their shoes - a treat for his donkey. Christmas in Germany is a family holiday. The family must certainly gather at the festive table. On this day, a gift exchange ceremony takes place, which even has its own name - Besherung. By the way, this is another reason to doubt the purely Christian origin of our grandfather. Most likely, the image of Father Frost mixed pagan and Orthodox traditions.

France

Character: Pere Noel

And the French New Year's Father Frost has a name that literally translates as Father Christmas. In France, Père Noel also comes to children not alone, but together with scow- a bearded old man in a fur hat and a warm traveling raincoat. Père Noël gives gifts to “good” children, and rods are hidden in Chalande’s basket for the naughty and lazy ones. To appease Shaland, the children sing: “Shaland came to us in a pointed hat and with a straw beard. Now we have plenty of nuts and delicious buns until the New Year!” New Year is celebrated in France, as a rule, not with family, but with friends. And not at a formal family table, but in a restaurant or even just on the street among hundreds of sparkling firecrackers and fireworks, pops of champagne, laughter and music.

Great Britain

Character: Father Christmas or Father Christmas

In this country, where tradition is most valued, an indispensable attribute of the holiday is the Queen's short speech, which she delivers immediately after Christmas dinner. And before gathering at the festive table, the whole family goes to church. Children order gifts here Father Christmas(literally Father Christmas). He needs to write a detailed letter listing what he wants and throw it into the fireplace. Smoke from the chimney will deliver your wish list right to its destination. In Great Britain, St. Stephen's Day is celebrated on the second day of Christmas, when special donation boxes are opened and the contents are distributed to those in need.

USA

Character: Santa Claus

Americans borrowed their traditions from Europe, because the New World arose through the efforts of people who came from the Old World. Here, the Christmas trees are decorated, Christmas carols are sung, and traditional turkey is served. At Christmas, Americans usually drink egg-nog - an egg-wine drink (like a cocktail) with cream. American Father Christmas is called Santa Claus. The name "Santa Claus" first appeared in the press in 1773. The image is based on Saint Nicholas of Merlikia. The first literary description of the image belongs to William Gilly, who published the poem "Santeclaus" in 1821. A year later, a whole poetic account of the visit of Santa Claus appeared from the pen of Clement Clark Moore (a professional dentist). The current appearance of Santa Claus belongs to the brush of Handon Sundblom, an American artist who painted a series of drawings for advertising Coca-Cola in 1931.

There is also a popular theory that Santa Claus as we know him is an invention of the Coca-Cola company.

Finland

Character: Joulupukki

In Finland (and it is generally accepted that New Year's wizards originated from there), the local gnome visits the local children. This funny name translates into Russian as "Christmas goat". The fact is that the villagers who carried gifts home on Christmas night wore goat fur coats. Joulupukki lives inside the Korvatunturi fell, in the Kaikuluolat caves. He has large and sensitive ears, so he knows exactly which of the children behaved well, who behaved badly and who wants to receive what gift. And on Christmas night he comes to the children while they are sleeping and gives gifts that are hidden in his cap. He brings rods to the disobedient. In general, in many countries the main winter characters come not only to give gifts to children, but also to punish them. In any case, this was the case until the middle of the 20th century, when Christmas grandfathers gradually began to “forget” about children’s disobedience.

Sweden

Character: Yul Tomten

Everyone expects gifts from the Christmas gnome, a little like “our” brownie, who lives in the underground of every Swedish house. His name is Yul Tomten. Lives in a protected forest, surrounded by picturesque lakes and valleys. In creating Christmas miracles, he is helped by Dusty the snowman, mischievous mice, a prince and princess, witches, the King and the Snow Queen and, of course, the ubiquitous elves. The latter, by the way, have a particularly hard time. In their small mine, they constantly mine gold for Christmas tree decorations and gifts. Those who come to visit Tomten are warned: “Watch your step! Little trolls are constantly scurrying along the paths. Don’t step on them!”

Italy

Character: Babbo Natale and the fairy Befana

Babbo Natale(Bubba Natale) – He leaves his sleigh on the roof and enters the house through the chimney, where they leave some milk and sweets for him “to strengthen him.”

Besides him, in Italy, on New Year's Day, children happily waited fairy Befana, it was she who took care of the holiday in this country: she brought sweets, toys, and various things to good children. True, she was angry and harsh with the bad ones, “rewarding” them only with extinguished embers. The Italians believed that Befana brought stars, she entered houses through the chimney and placed gifts in stockings hung from the exhaust hoods of the hearths. According to another version, the fairy arrives in a completely earthly way - on a donkey loaded with a bundle of gifts, and ties it near the house where the children live. While the animal is refreshed, Befana unlocks the doors with a small golden key and fills the children's shoes with souvenirs and sweets.

China

Character: Shan Dan Laozhen, Dong Che Lao Ren or Sho Hin

China and Japan have their own Christmas grandfathers, their names are accordingly Shan Dan Laozhen And Oji-san.

Those who come to China for Christmas notice first of all the “Trees of Light” - an analogue of our Christmas tree. They are decorated in oriental style with bright and exquisite lanterns, flowers, and garlands. Chinese Christians use these same decorations in the festive decoration of their homes. Unlike Dutch children who stuff special wooden shoes with straw, where Christmas in the morning they find gifts, the little Chinese hang stockings on the walls, where Dong Che Lao Ren (Grandfather Christmas) puts his Christmas gifts.

Japan

Character: Oji-san, Segatsu-san or Hoteisho

In Japan, instead of Santa Claus, the main figure of the holiday is the god Hoteyosho. If all the other “brothers” of Santa Claus, even if they have something goatish in their name, are still quite humanoid and goatlike in them - except maybe a beard, then Japan, here, as in everything, stands apart, and the god Hoteyosho has eyes ...on the back of the head.

Czech Republic, Slovakia

Character: grandfather Mikulas and Jerzyshek
In the Czech Republic there is Grandfather Mikulash; he is like the German Santa Nikolaus. Comes on the night of December 5-6, on the eve of St. Nicholas Day. Outwardly he looks like the Russian Father Frost: the same long fur coat, hat, 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 kind of sweet (that is, something tasty and edible!). But if a hooligan or slacker has a potato or a piece of coal in his “Christmas boot,” it’s definitely Mikulash.

How Mikulash gets along with another New Year’s character Hedgehog is unclear and science doesn’t know :)!

Jerzyshek(Jozhishek) - Czech Republic, Slovakia - Surely this is the most modest New Year's character in the world. When throwing gifts at children's houses, Jerzyshek carefully makes sure that no one sees him. Apparently it is for this reason that nothing is known about the appearance of this good fellow. But, as soon as the Christmas bell rings on the tree, thousands of Czech and Slovak children rush to see the gifts they have received. "Who brought this?" - another stupid kid will ask, “Hedgehog!” - happy parents answer.

Mongolia

Character: Uvlin Uvgun

The Mongolian New Year's household is managed by a whole family. The head of the family is helped by Zazan Okhin (the snow girl) and Shina Zhila (the New Year boy). Uvlin Uvgun himself, as expected, is an excellent cattle breeder, and therefore he comes to the holiday in traditional Mongolian cattle breeder clothes. Well, so as not to forget about business on New Year’s Eve, from December 31 to January 1, the Mongols also celebrate the day (night!!!) of the cattle breeder.

Türkiye

Character: Saint Nicholas, Noel Baba, Bishop of Merlicia

St Nicholas, Bishop of Merlikia ("Noel Baba") - One of the prototypes of all New Year's characters. Good miracle worker and persecutor of evil. Patron of kidnapped and lost children. Lived in 300 AD. According to legend, Nikolai Merlikian once walked through the village past the house of a poor man. And there the father was going to send his daughters to “learn” the most ancient profession. Nikolai didn’t like this, and at night he threw three purses of gold into the house through the chimney (according to another version, three gold coins). They landed in the girl's shoes, which were drying by the fireplace. The happy father bought a dowry for his daughters and married them off.

Uzbekistan

Character: Corbobo

– On the eve of the New Year holiday, he comes to his young friends on a donkey, accompanied by his granddaughter Korgyz. Instead of a fur coat, Corbobo wears a striped robe.

In other countries (full list of countries) Dedma Frost is called:

Australia - Santa Claus

Austria - Sylvester

Altai Territory - Sook-Taadak

Belgium - Père Noel, Saint Nicholas

Brazil - Popeye Noel

Great Britain - Father Christmas

Hungary - Mikulas

Hawaii – Kanakaloka

Germany - Weihnachtsmann

Holland (Netherlands) – Sunderklass, Site Kaas, Sinter Klaas

Greece - Saint Basil

Denmark, Greenland - Yletomte, Ylemanden, St. Nicholas

Spain - Papa Noel

Italy - Babbo Natale

Kazakhstan - Ayaz-ata, Kolotun Aga

Kalmykia - Zul

Cambodia - Ded Zhar

Karelia - Pakkainen (Frost)

Cyprus - Saint Basil

China - Dong Che Lao Ren, Sho Hin, Sheng Dan Laoren,

Colombia - Papa Pascual

Mongolia - Uvlin Uvgun

Norway – Julenissen, Nisse, Ylebukk

Poland - St. Nicholas

Romania - Mos Jerile

Savoie - Saint Chalande

USA - Santa Claus

Türkiye - Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Merlicia, Noel Baba

Tajikistan - Ojuz

Uzbekistan - Korbobo

Finland - Jollupukki

France - Père Noel, Grandfather January

Czech Republic, Slovakia - Grandfather Mikulas and Jorzyshek

Chile - Viegio Pasquero

Sweden - Jul Tomten, Jultomten, Krise Kringle, Yulnissan, Jolotomten

Yakutia - Grandfather Dyl

Japan – Oji-san, Hoteyosho, Segatsu – san

Will tell you about what the main characters of New Year's holidays look like in different countries of the world.

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)

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)

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)

Yollupukki has long hair, 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 Father Christmas wears a goatskin jacket with a leather belt and a red cap.

Jõuluvana (Estonia)

Jõuluvana resembles his Finnish relative Jölupukki: long gray hair, a snow-white beard, a red sheepskin coat and a cone-shaped cap with a pompom. He does not dress up in goat skin, but he has a reindeer, as well as assistants - gnomes. And Yyuluvan’s wife is Mother Winter.

Sinter Klaas (Holland)

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)

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)

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)

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)

He is depicted as a bald grandfather of small 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.

Senelis Shaltis, Kaledu Senelis and Kaleda (Lithuania)

In Lithuania, there are several characters playing the role of the Russian Father Frost. Senyalis Shaltis comes to the children, he wears a sheepskin coat and knitted mittens. In addition to him, Kaledu Senyalis, the Christmas grandfather, appears in homes at Christmas, and a very popular folklore character, hero of legends and tales, Kaleda, an old man in a white fur coat.

Mosh Craciun (Moldova)

Mosh Krachun 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.

Father Frost (Father Treskun, Morozko and Karachun) - Russia . 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. Our Santa Claus is one of the few married grandfathers among all the other grandfathers: he has a wife - Winter. And by the way, he is called “grandfather” for a reason, but because he has a granddaughter, Snegurochka. Since ancient times, Father Frost has been the embodiment of generosity and kindness, and the Snow Maiden is a symbol of youth, joy, and fun. In the city of Veliky Ustyug there is the residence of our Father Frost, where you can send a letter or come on an excursion and chat with the great wizard.

Santa Claus - USA . The American grandfather wears a cap and a red "star" jacket, smokes a pipe, travels through the air on reindeer and enters the house through a pipe. The first portrait of Santa Claus appeared in 1830. As historians have established, that Santa Claus did not have any characteristic features, and he was often depicted as a tall, thin, sometimes black-haired man, and with a not very pleasant face. But before Christmas 1863, when the country was in a civil war, cartoonist Thomas Nast drew him in a new way - as a ruddy, plump old man in a suit decorated with stars, giving gifts to the soldiers of the northern army. In this way, the artist tried to lift the spirits of the combatants. And he succeeded. Every subsequent Christmas, the cartoonist drew Santa Claus in his favorite form. Writing letters to Santa Claus became a tradition in 1870, and in 1899, under the light hand of Nast, Santa got a wife: Mrs. Claus, and he began to live in an ice palace at the North Pole.

Corbobo - Uzbekistan . And he walks with his faithful companion 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.

Joulupukki - Finland . This name was not given to him in vain: “Youlu” means Christmas, and “pukki” means goat. Many years ago, Finnish Santa Claus wore a goat skin and carried gifts on a goat. He is the most important among all Santa Clauses. He lives far north in Finnish Lapland. His house is on the Korva-tuntura hill, and the Finnish Father Frost goes to work in a small village located right on the Arctic Circle. There is his workshop and post office, which receives about half a million letters from more than 100 countries. Many letters come from parents who would like their children to receive New Year's greetings directly from Lapland. All these requests are fulfilled. Joulupukki is helped by 60 gnomes who speak foreign languages.

Père Noël (Grandfather January) - France and Switzerland . The French-Swiss "Father January" walks with a staff and wears a wide-brimmed hat.

Saint Nicholas - Belgium and Poland . As the legend goes, he left golden apples in a shoe under the fireplace for the family who sheltered him. This was a very long time ago, so Saint Nicholas is considered . He rides a horse, wearing a miter and a white bishop's robe. He is always accompanied by his Moorish servant Black Peter, who carries a bag of gifts for obedient children behind his back, and in his hands - rods for naughty children.

Babbo Natale - Italy . His name can be translated as "father of Christmas." However, since 1995, the famous character has fallen out of favor with the Catholic Church, because he allegedly “is alien to Italian culture.” The Holy See more than once threatened to excommunicate him from the church, considering him much worse and more dangerous than any pagan idols.

In Mongolia, Santa Claus is called Uvlin Uvgun . He always appears accompanied by Zazan Ohin (Snow Maiden) and Shina Zhila (New Year's boy). New Year in Mongolia coincides with the cattle breeding holiday, so Santa Claus wears the clothes of a cattle breeder.

The country of Santa Claus Nisse is Norway . A sort of dwarf “Santa Claus”, since Nisse are small brownies.

In Germany, Father Christmas is called Santa Nikolaus . Good old man Nikolaus brings sweets to German children. And he comes to them not on New Year’s Eve, but more than two weeks before Christmas. However, they love the good wizard no less. There is, however, one catch: in Germany, no one still really knows what Santa Nikolaus looks like. Either he is a gray-bearded grandfather in a shaggy fur coat and a cap, or a Catholic bishop in a cassock and with a staff in his hand.

What is the name of Santa Claus in other countries? :

Krise Kringle (Yulnissan, Yul Tomten, Yolotomten) - Sweden.

Yletomte (Julemanden or St. Nicholas) - Denmark.

Site Kaas (Sinter Klaas) - Holland.

Sho Hin, Sheng Dan Laoren - China.

Saints Mikalaus - Western Slavs.

German Father Frost comes not on New Year's Eve, as in Russia, but on the eve of Christmas. His name is St. Nicholas - Saint Nicholas, and his feast day is celebrated on December 6th. There is only one “but”: in Germany, no one still really knows what St. Nikolaus looks like. Either he is a handsome white-bearded grandfather in a shaggy fur coat and a red cap, or he is a Catholic bishop in a cassock with a tiara on his head and a staff in his hand.

Bishop or farmhand?

This confusion began in ancient times. To begin with, at least two saints are revered under the name of St. Nicholas. One of them, Bishop Nikolaus of Myra, lived in the 4th century AD, and the other, his namesake, Bishop Nikolaus of Zion, lived in the 5th century. Later, St. Nicholas was revered in Germany as the patron saint of sailors, merchants, bakers and schoolchildren. And in the 14th century, schools at Catholic monasteries began to celebrate the Day of St. Nicholas of Myra every year on December 6th. The holiday was accompanied by magnificent processions in which monks, children and adult parishioners participated. Even then, gifts were distributed on this day.

But in the villages of medieval Germany, ordinary people preferred that gifts for children were brought not by the Catholic bishop, but by the legendary farmhand Ruprecht, who looked very much like the Russian Father Frost. This custom was adopted and modified in its own way by the Protestant Church that emerged as a result of the church reformation. Therefore, in Catholic regions of Germany, St. Nicholas still often appears before children in a bishop's cassock, and in Protestant regions - in a peasant sheepskin coat.

Context

Over the centuries, the farmhand Ruprecht transformed into Nikolaus' assistant (instead of the Snow Maiden, who does not accompany the German Father Frost). Now Ruprecht carries behind his owner a bag of gifts for obedient children and a bundle of rods for lazy people and hooligans.

Sutana or sheepskin coat?

But the confusion with St. Nicholas in Germany does not end there. Until the beginning of the 20th century in Germany, he had another strong competitor - Weihnachtsmann (Christmas Grandfather), an exact copy of the Russian Father Frost. He also brought gifts to the children, but he preferred to do this not in the first half of December, but right before Christmas. Over the years, the figures of these wizards have merged into one. Now Weihnachtsmann is a kind of “pseudonym” for St. Nicholas. Or vice versa? In general, this is the same gray-bearded grandfather who accompanies the holidays throughout December. However, Catholic priests never tire of saying that Saint Nicholas is a bishop, and it is not clear who Father Christmas is.

The Americans helped a lot in eliminating this split personality by inventing their own Father Frost and calling him Santa Claus. They say that it was first described in 1822 by the American professor of Greek literature Clement Clarke Moore. In a poem he wrote for Christmas for his daughters, the scientist argued that Santa Claus is a fat, cheerful, gray-bearded old man who comes on a sleigh pulled by eight nimble reindeer.

The consonance of the names of Santa Claus (which Americans adopted from Dutch immigrants) and St. Nicholas, as well as the growing influence of American culture throughout the 20th century, contributed to the fact that over several decades the memory of the 4th century Christian bishop in Germany was noticeably erased, and St. Nicholas increasingly changes his cassock to the cheerful outfit of Father Christmas.

Grandfather or baby?

Today, the snow-white beard and red fur coat of the German Father Frost constantly appear at Christmas markets and in the rush of pre-holiday sales in German stores. In Germany, there is, perhaps, not a single self-respecting large department store in which its own, “branded” St. Nicholas would not treat children with sweets and fruits.

Well, on Christmas he puts gifts for them under the tree. True, there is competition here too. Many children in Germany believe that it is not St. Nicholas or Father Christmas who puts gifts under the tree, but Christkind, who, in turn, is considered by some to be the Baby Jesus, and by others an angel. However, no one has been able to see either one yet...

See also:

Pre-Christmas season

In December, there are Christmas markets in Germany - large and small, traditional and alternative. There are about two and a half thousand of them throughout the country. Let's take a look at some of them.

15 cities on Germany's Christmas map

Next to the cathedral

Let's start with Cologne. This city leads Germany in terms of the total number of visitors to its Christmas markets. In the few weeks before Christmas, about four million people come here. One of the fairs is located right next to the Cologne Cathedral, the most popular German attraction.

15 cities on Germany's Christmas map

Berlin Christmas

Almost three dozen Christmas markets await visitors in Berlin. They are scattered throughout all parts of the city. The most famous and popular are located on Alexanderplatz near the Berlin Television Tower and the Red Town Hall, at the Gendarmerie Market, Potsdamer Platz and in the Spandau area.

15 cities on Germany's Christmas map

In the former capital

The former capital of Germany, Bonn, lags behind the capital Berlin in the number of fairs, but can compete with other cities in the category of the most cozy Christmas markets. One of them is located on the square near the city hall and very close to the house where the great German composer Ludwig van Beethoven was born.

15 cities on Germany's Christmas map

In the center of Dusseldorf

The historic center of Düsseldorf, famous for its numerous beer gardens, bars and restaurants, practically turns into one large Christmas market during the pre-holiday weeks. There are six fairs in the Old Town alone, and the total number of trade stalls and pavilions exceeds two hundred.

15 cities on Germany's Christmas map

Gingerbread Christmas

The authorities of Aachen decided to reduce the number of stalls selling food and drinks, and give more space to jewelry, souvenirs, gifts and other handicrafts. According to statistics, each visitor to the Christmas market in this city spends about 35 euros, in particular on local printed gingerbread - Aachener Printen.

15 cities on Germany's Christmas map

From different countries of the world

Leaving North Rhine-Westphalia, the most populous federal state of Germany, we will take a look at the capital of the Ruhr region, Essen, where visitors will once again be greeted by the International Christmas Market (Internationaler Weihnachtsmarkt), which traditionally sells treats, drinks and souvenirs from all over the world.

15 cities on Germany's Christmas map

Christmas in Nuremberg

The Nuremberg holiday market Christkindlesmarkt is considered the most famous Christmas market in Germany. About two million people visit it every year. Christkindlesmarkt traces its history back to the first half of the 17th century, that is, it is one of the oldest in Germany.

15 cities on Germany's Christmas map

Christmas in the Harz

The Christmas market in the city of Wernigerode, famous for its half-timbered architecture, is one of the most famous and romantic such fairs in eastern Germany. Its visit can be combined with excursions to the Harz, a mountainous region famous for its traditional crafts. Here, for example, you can buy souvenirs made of wood.

15 cities on Germany's Christmas map

Christmas in Europe's financial capital

The Frankfurt am Main Christmas market is located on Römer Square in front of the Old Town Hall. It is one of the most visited in Germany. The main 30-meter Christmas tree is decorated with garlands with five thousand light bulbs and four hundred ribbons.

15 cities on Germany's Christmas map

Christmas the Hanseatic way

The Hanseatic city of Hamburg has six large and more than two dozen small Christmas markets. The most famous one is located on Town Hall Square.

15 cities on Germany's Christmas map

With the Bremen musicians

From Hamburg we will visit another Hanseatic city - Bremen. Its main Christmas market is located in front of the Old Town Hall on one of the most beautiful historical squares in Germany with its Gothic and Renaissance facades. The Schlachte-Zauber fair, dedicated to maritime themes, also deserves special mention. She is waiting for guests in the quarter near the Weser River.

15 cities on Germany's Christmas map

Christmas in Thuringia

The largest Christmas market in the federal state of Thuringia is located on the square in front of Erfurt Cathedral. It has been going on for more than a century and a half. A little less than 2 million people visit it every year.

15 cities on Germany's Christmas map

Souvenirs from the Ore Mountains

Dresden hosts one of the oldest German Christmas markets - Dresdner Striezelmarkt. In 2019 it is held for the 585th time. This fair alone, not counting others, for example, near the famous Frauenkirche church, is visited annually by about 2.5 million people. In Dresden you can buy traditional wooden souvenirs made by craftsmen in the Ore Mountains region.

15 cities on Germany's Christmas map

Christmas in Leipzig

The Leipzig Christmas market is also one of the largest and oldest such markets in Germany.

15 cities on Germany's Christmas map

With a Bavarian accent

Munich is the last on our list, but far from the least in importance. The Bavarian capital is famous for its special flavor, which becomes even more evident in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The most famous market is the Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz, but almost every city district has its own fairs.

The first Santa Claus is Santa Nicholas, who is inseparable from Ruprecht, his servant. In Germany, Santa Claus brings gifts not at Christmas, but on December 6, St. Nicholas Day.

Instead of gifts, Santa Claus may bring rods to naughty children. Ruphert appeared in connection with the medieval tradition, when in Germany a priest came to Catholic schools with gifts, and the peasants preferred to see not a priest, but a farm laborer in the place of Santa Claus. And so the farmhand Ruprecht appeared, and the priest turned into Santa Nikolaus.

On Christmas night, Weinachtsman, who is an exact copy of Santa Claus, comes to the children in Germany. In Germany, Father Christmas appears on a donkey at Christmas. Before going to bed, children put a plate for gifts that the German Father Frost - Santa Claus - will give them. They put hay in the shoes - this is a treat for the donkey. German Christmas is a family holiday. The family always gathers around the festive Christmas table. On this day, gifts are traditionally exchanged in Germany. This ceremony has its own name - Besherung. This tradition is another reason to doubt the Christian origin of Santa Claus. Most likely, both Orthodox and pagan traditions were mixed in the image of Father Frost.

Christmas in Germany

In Germany they prepare for Christmas in advance, about a month in advance. German families traditionally prepare a holiday wreath with four candles. Advent - the subsequent pre-Christmas week is accompanied by a festive dinner, when relatives and friends gather at the festive table and eat the traditional German special cake “Stollen”, which is baked for this occasion and light a candle. Thus, 4 candles burning on a family table in Germany indicate that Christmas is just around the corner. In December, St. Nicholas Day is celebrated in Germany. Then the children put their shoes outside the door so Nikolaus can put gifts in them. The next day in Germany they decorate the Christmas tree. At Christmas, German families go to church - it is a religious holiday. And then, at home, a traditional goose with apples and cabbage awaits them. New Year's Father Frost in Germany - Santa Claus.