Bring Santa Claus back to the children!

A wise old man, pretty ripe for the lasthundred years, slowly replacing the rosy traveling salesman is clearly not of Russian origin, caravans carrying your children a sweet poison. Children are forgiven, for them any holiday is a joy, and the one who brings gifts is a kind uncle.

But you then, adults, must still rememberthe real Santa Claus, the magical appearance of which was so expected in his childhood. Where did this troublesome rival Morozko, who was suspiciously dressed not in our severe winter weather and responding to the name of Santa Claus, appeared on the boundless Russian expanses?

A Brief Historical Reference

The ancestor of these fairy-tale characters, judging byall, there was one - Archbishop Myrlikijskt Nikolai, who is also the Prelate, Wonderworker and Sinner, who lived in Byzantium, far from us. Each European nation used the image of this saint in different ways, but by the middle of the 17th century, in many European countries, there were already established traditions to give gifts for children on Christmas day on behalf of Santa-Kolya, with transcriptions in national languages.

The Dutch settlers who founded the NewAmsterdam (now New York), brought to the American continent their beliefs and traditions. The image of Santa Claus skuikozhilsya to dwarfish size, but even in such a dried kind of preserved for almost 300 years. In 1931, the Coca-Cola company needed an advertising brand and the genius of Haddon Sandblom created the modern pot-bellied Santo. He was not supposed to give children Christmas gifts, his task was much more prosaic - to carry the world sweet and caustic soda.

The costume had to be repainted from brown(so as not to remind you of the color and usability of the product) in red, then put on your glasses, do a good-stupid face, etc. But the image took root and, together with the bottles, crossed the ocean and was transformed into a symbol of Christmas. From this moment, American and European children began to demand from this clown their New Year gifts, diligently hanging the fireplace near the fireplace the biggest socks that they found in the house.

Russian Grandfather - a cultural asset

An amazing compilation from the East Slavicgods, spirits and Christian saints. The image of our Grandfather Frost was created for millennia, because the winter is long, and to pacify the pagan Zimnik, Korochun or the more close Moroz Ivanovich was necessary, if you want to survive. The ancient rituals were gradually transformed into traditions, and the image acquired ever more colorful national features.

Literary games Odoevsky and Nekrasov tothe middle of the XIX century completed the creation of a powerful and powerful prototype, and subsequent childish interpretations turned the winter deity into a very handsome old man. The fairy-tale character had a granddaughter, Snow Maiden, who does not have parents, and a full set of attributes of power and immense generosity: a staff and a large bag with gifts.

Agree, it's ridiculous to imagine the EuropeanSanto, engaged in the distribution of New Year's gifts in Novosibirsk or Magadan. In his curly-headed jacket, a stupid cap and boots on a thin sole, he will not reach the nearest house and will definitely freeze something very important. Our majestic Grandfather is always dressed in Russian winter weather: a fur coat to the heels, boots, a sable hat. It's really expensive to have a look!

In those times when overseas Santa Clausloaded the first reindeer harness with Coca-Cola packages, our New Year's wizard was in disgrace. From 1929 to 1935, according to his religious convictions, he was removed from power. But a respectful invitation from Comrade Stalin, first to Kharkov, and then to the Column Hall of the House of Unions, triumphantly returned the children to their Winter Wizard and the very holiday of the New Year's Tree.

For all the children of the Soviet Union, Father Frost has becomemore welcome guest than all the numerous relatives. Gifts only he gave, it means that all the rest simply interfered with the sacrament. The children had a truly holy faith in miracles. This magic lasted long (by the standards of several generations) and very little from the point of view of the inviolability of tradition.

The moment came when the evil uncle, whothe children were deprived of New Year's gifts, they let in a native land a foreign gnome in a hood, his wagons with soda and his face in all the media. A cluster of little Santa Clauses defeated the Great Elder. True, the veteran of the New Year's performances was given a quite comfortable estate in Veliky Ustyug and even gave a residence permit, but with his magic power he had to part.

Formatted Grandfather. But children are very sensitive to such changes. Due to their young age, they can not resist the will of the elders and are compelled to compromise. And if they offer a miraculous deal with a new owner of the New Year's Eve instead of miracles - three days of good behavior in exchange for a new game console, they have to agree and dress the caps. Another question is what is happening in the soul of such a fooled child, and what kind of warmth and joy he can convey to his children? Think before it's too late!

Author: Katerina Sergeenko