Where Santa Claus lives a story for children. Where does Santa Claus live?

Where did Santa Claus come from? The answer to this question interests not only children, but also adults. On the eve of the New Year, the history of the origin of this fabulous image will be educational for all readers.

Pagan traditions

In ancient times, our ancestors worshiped many gods at once. Each image was responsible for a specific element or action. For example, Perun was considered the main deity and was otherwise called the Thunderer.

According to legend, Svarog was responsible for all the gods who led natural forces. Morozko was a similar character in those days. He was responsible for the weather in winter. It was believed that this deity gave the Slavs sparkling snow and celebrations with the onset of cold weather.

People firmly believed that during the attack of enemy troops, it was he who did not allow them to advance further, freezing everything around. According to legends, this deity created ice that could not be cut even with iron axes.

The fight against paganism

After the arrival of Christianity in the Russian lands, active propaganda of the new faith began. The fight against paganism was waged with all our might. In those days, the image of Morozko was dramatically changed, making him a negative hero.

According to an invented legend, he turned into the Great Old Man of the North, who came to different settlements and cruelly froze people. One of these tragedies is described in the work “Frost - a Red Nose,” which was written by Nekrasov.

In the poem, the Great Old Man froze a lonely mother in the forest without regret. Due to this tragedy, several children were left orphans and had to overcome many difficulties to survive on their own.

Uneducated villagers began to believe in this legend. With the arrival of winter, they were terrified that this deity would come to their house.

Did Santa Claus take children?

During the times of ancient Rus', in every village the children were afraid of this hero. They awaited his arrival in horror. It was believed that it was he who brought severe frosts and winds to the villages in order to “take away” the children.

It was often very cold in poor houses during a severe snowstorm, because such shacks were not heated in any way. Weak guys sometimes froze to death. Such misfortune in the family was associated with the arrival of this far from kind and long-awaited character. For those families, it didn’t matter where Santa Claus came from. The story, unfortunately, is not entirely pleasant. But it also happened.

In those days it was believed that this deity took the children to himself. Unlike modern children, the children of ancient Rus' never expected this hero and were very afraid of him. Everyone didn’t even want to say his name out loud, and no one was interested in the question of where Santa Claus came from.

Crucial moment

In 1910, for the first time, hand-drawn postcards began to depict this character in a more attractive form. In this way, artists tried to eradicate pagan traditions and overcome fear among children.

A character appeared on the cards who smiled and came to the children with a large bag of gifts. The artists knew for sure that it is very easy to bribe children even with small surprises, because children are so trusting.

With the help of new fairy tales and stories, they and their parents were offered a good version of where Santa Claus came from in Russia.

During the Soviet period, belief in any deity was strictly prohibited. In those days, Christianity was also actively oppressed. In order to further increase the patriotism of children, they turned a slightly forgotten Santa Claus into a kind old man who brings gifts to good children. No one knew where this character came from. His legend had not yet been invented at that time.

Father Frost, as well as his wonderful granddaughter Snegurochka, became the most beloved and desired characters. They came to kindergartens and schools for New Year's parties, entertained children near the Christmas trees, which in those days were organized in every park and every club. In Soviet times, many wonderful cartoons and films were made about these kind fairy-tale characters, which children today enjoy watching. Perhaps because there was no hint of violence in such films, children were unobtrusively instilled with wonderful human qualities, such as honesty, mutual assistance, and friendship. Santa Claus in these films was always fair, cheerful and infinitely kind.

Truth and speculation

Those who were children during the Soviet era may be very surprised to learn that some modern historians are trying to connect the image of Father Frost with communist propaganda. In those days, this hero was sincerely loved and believed that he was “the most real.” And the statement that it comes only to obedient children hardly needs to be given a negative connotation, because it was not only in the Soviet Union that they tried to influence the behavior of children in this way. Andersen's fairy-tale character Ole Lukoje also opens colored umbrellas only over obedient children.

The first children's matinee with the participation of Father Frost was held in 1935 in Kharkov. The event was a huge success. The kind, red-cheeked grandfather in a red fur coat was loved not only by children, but also by adults, he carried so much positivity with him and created a festive mood.

Image development

Gradually, this character became so firmly established in people’s lives that few people were interested in the question of where Santa Claus came from. It was enough for the children to know that he was bringing gifts for the New Year, and they really looked forward to his arrival.

With the help of cinema, approximately the same image of the character emerged. He had to have:

• Gray hair and long beard.
• Cheerful smile.
• Red cheeks.
• Staff.
• A red or blue sheepskin coat and the same hat.
• Large bag with gifts.
• Kind eyes.

Gradually, this hero acquired incredible stories and legends.

Snow Maiden: daughter or granddaughter?

Over time, the writers decided to diversify the character and added an assistant to him. Where did Father Frost and Snow Maiden come from? People first learned about this heroine from Ostrovsky’s work.

The fairy tale said that the Snow Maiden appeared in the forest in front of the walkers, who was attracted by the songs and dances of the youth. According to the plot, the girl was the daughter of Santa Claus and helped him manage his daily life.

Over time, her image passed into the status of a granddaughter. There is an easy explanation for this. The age of the children was suitable for a small girl, with whom communication at matinees became more pleasant and relaxed.

Where did Father Frost come from in Russia, and where does he live? There is no clear answer to the question. This hero has changed his place of residence several times during his existence. Even in ancient times, it was believed that the deity lived in a dense forest.

With the advent of Soviet power, this hero was relocated to Arkhangelsk. They took children there on excursions and showed him his residence. Now Veliky Ustyug is considered the official place of residence. Here the architects built a large residence of Father Frost with all the winter attributes.

Thousands of children come here during the New Year holidays to meet their favorite character and plunge into his life. Many adults, in order to return at least temporarily to childhood, also enjoy walking around the domain of their favorite fairy-tale hero.

Santa Claus has a full-fledged family. His wife is considered to be Winter, and his granddaughter is the well-known Snow Maiden. Together they re-read the children's letters and collect gifts in a large bag.

Santa Claus has several animals on his farm. It has long been the custom that this hero travels in a sleigh drawn by three horses. But in the character’s residence there is also a beautiful deer Leshka.

In the Penates of Moroz there is a room for a wardrobe. It stores a large number of the character’s elegant fur coats. You can also find ski suits and summer clothing sets here. Thus, the Russian Father Frost is a “fashionist” in comparison with similar characters from other countries.

The birthday of our fairy-tale hero is considered to be November 18th. Around this period of the year, cold weather sets in and frosts intensify in Russia. Father Frost celebrates his holiday first in Veliky Ustyug, and a few days later he arrives in the capital. Hundreds of children are also waiting for him here with gifts and congratulations.

The main Santa Claus of the country is 37-year-old Andrei Balin. He has been managing the household in the residence for 15 years. At the age of 22, the livestock specialist entered into an agreement with the local authorities and makes children happy every year during the winter holidays.

Prototypes in other countries

Almost every state has its own characters who play the role of givers for the New Year. So, in Cyprus and Greece, Santa Claus is called Agios Vasilis. In these countries, January 1 is considered not only the New Year, but also a holiday named after all Vasiliev and Vasilisa.

Where did Santa Claus come from in France? Père Noel is the name of this character in this European country. Its history is connected with religion. Père Noel is considered the prototype of Saint Nicholas, who gave sweets to children from poor families during the Christmas holidays.

American Santa Claus is increasingly appearing in commercials in our country. The story of the appearance of the hero is connected with Nikolai Ugodnik. This saint was a real character and went through many trials in his life. Despite this, he always remained the patron saint of children.

Initially, Santa Claus had the appearance of an elf and was dressed in dark green clothes. But in 1930, the famous Coca-Cola company came up with a publicity stunt and depicted the character in the red and white colors used for their products.

From that time on, Santa Claus became a large old man with a beard and mustache. He travels around in a sleigh pulled by 12 reindeer. My favorite one is Rudolph. The American prototype does not have the Snow Maiden. Little elves help him in everything. They sort through the kids' letters and collect gifts.

Where did Santa Claus come from in Africa? Does it exist there? Of course yes. There is such a character here too. His name is Papa Noel. Of all the characters, he is the most secretive; he does not like to be in public. No one knows exactly what he looks like or where he lives.

The most interesting and unusual name belongs to a character from Finland. Here it is called Joulupukki. Finnish Santa Claus comes to children on a goat. He has gnomes as his assistants. He lives with his wife in a small house on the mountain.

It probably doesn’t matter what this hero’s name is, how tall he is, or what he’s wearing. Let the question of where Santa Claus come from concern adults. It is enough for children to simply believe in his existence and wait for his arrival every New Year. After all, a person retains the feeling of a fairy tale and a miracle throughout his entire life.

The children are looking forward to the arrival of the New Year and Santa Claus. They are preparing to meet their most beloved holiday character: they learn poems and songs, decorate their houses, and try their best to be the most obedient children. And they ask adults the same questions: "Where does Santa Claus live?What does he do all year?”

But in fact, where does he live?

Among the pine forest, 11 kilometers from the city of Veliky Ustyug, is the estate of Father Frost. This is a real estate where Father Frost and his faithful assistants live and work all year round. Everything here is imbued with a fairy tale, even the nature is truly fabulous.

Would you like to look into Father Frost's estate and see what he's doing there?

From the very gate you can walk along the Alley of Miracles and then get to the “Trail of Fairy Tales”. Walking along the path of fairy tales, you can meet many fairy-tale characters, visit Lesovich, and visit the campfire where all 12 months met.

In the center of the estate there is a wooden tower, in which Father Frost himself lives. If you enter this amazing tower, you will be amazed at its grandeur and beauty.

Here is everything that the owner and his assistants need. There is a bedroom in which Father Frost rests on feather beds and learns the wishes of the children. In his office, he writes letters, sorts out documents and solves important matters. There is a dressing room in the mansion where Father Frost's clothes are stored and a workshop in which assistants make souvenirs for guests.

In a separate room, gifts are kept that are brought to Santa Claus from all over the world. In the center of the hall there is a throne room with a real throne. Father Frost sits on this throne during receptions. Guests can also sit on this throne. If you make a wish while sitting on this throne, it will definitely come true.

All the letters that millions of children write to Santa Claus come to Santa Claus Post Office. It is located in the city center and letters addressed to Santa Claus are brought there from all over the world. Of course, Santa Claus himself will not be able to cope with so many letters, so assistants help him at the post office. They sort through letters, write answers and arrange gifts.

That's how much trouble Santa Claus has all year round. He also greets guests, signs his Grandfather Moroz decrees for children and adults, and gives orders for the New Year. All year long, Santa Claus has been preparing the New Year holidays so that we can have fun and the children receive their desired gifts.

Look with your own eyes how Santa Claus lives.

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 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 as a child, the future saint constantly performed good deeds and, as best he could, helped others.

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.

Going on an excursion to the wizard’s house is an interesting adventure for both 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 its advantageous position next 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 shipping in the 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 the then district town of the Vologda province had to be rebuilt. 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.

The city's attractions

Most of the architectural monuments are located along the banks of the Sukhona River. On one side there are the oldest churches of the Dymkovo settlement, built and consecrated in the 14th century.

On the opposite bank there is the Cathedral Courtyard, a distinctive feature of which is the many churches built next to each other. In Veliky Ustyug, despite the fire, many ancient monasteries, cathedrals and bell towers have been preserved. For centuries, icons and church utensils were carefully hidden from looting in church premises, so at the moment their 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.

The Museum of the History of Veliky Ustyug has been opened in the former house of the merchant Usov. 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 and Christmas Toys is famous for its Christmas tree decorations and collection of greeting cards from 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. An interesting journey can be made along the Fairy Tale Trail. The houses of the wise Owl, Lesovichka and a magic well were built in a pine forest. Their inhabitants themselves greet guests and lead them through the forest.

The exact address for letters to Santa Claus

In Veliky Ustyug, Santa Claus Post Office operates uninterruptedly in a separate wooden house. 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 folk art that can be purchased and sent to friends and family along with a postcard signed and stamped by 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.

In the Finnish part of the Arctic Circle stands Mount Korvatunturi, which looks 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 on the New Year holidays it came 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 of 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 my 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!