Curious where Santa Claus lives? Or do the kids demand details about the appearance of a miracle at Christmas? The answer changes depending on who asks the question... It's better to find out where Santa lives than to figure out where Bigfoot lives. When truth and fiction are closely intertwined, life becomes much more interesting. It's time to plunge into the fascinating world of mysteries!
How to tell children where Santa Claus lives:
Very far beyond the North Pole stands the inconspicuous house of Santa Claus. There is a blizzard and blizzard raging around, but it is always warm inside. An ordinary person will not be able to find a magical way to this mysterious place. In rare moments, the way opens to someone who is open in heart and pure in soul.
Santa Claus's house, although it looks small from the outside, is actually very spacious inside. Amazing smells reign in the kitchen, the fire crackles in the living room, and thick books with records of all the children on the planet are stored in the office. Opposite the child, his good and bad deeds are necessarily noted for lately. Before Christmas, Santa Claus carefully looks at the notes and decides who to give what gift.
Of course, Santa would hardly be able to cope with the tasks facing him on his own. Elves, gnomes, deer and other fairy-tale creatures are faithful helpers. Where do they all live? Everyone has their own cozy house, hidden from the prying eyes of strangers under high snowdrifts.
Many passages connect an amazing underground world, in which there is a place for daily miracles. Little fairies live in beautiful dollhouses, high elves can move into the summer greenery of the forest through a magic door at any time, and short gnomes have chosen wooden mansions for themselves.
The only thing is that few people look into the place where Baba Yaga lives. She will be able to take a bag of gifts and hide into the distance in a hut on chicken legs. Therefore, Santa Claus's helpers choose safe places for themselves, hidden not only from people, but also from harmful people.
Hundreds every day fairy-tale creatures at Santa's factory they create cars, dolls, balls, construction sets, musical instruments. The toys will be waiting in the wings to fall into the hands of the most obedient and kind children on Christmas night. And the closer this magical time comes, the more little treasures accumulate in Santa Claus's barns. Just before Christmas, bags of toys begin to be filled with the most delicious candies, wrapped in colorful packaging...
Many miracles happen near Santa Claus's hut. No wonder he climbed so far into the snow! Only here you can calmly do the most important thing - preparing a surprise for the kids. So you should behave well if you want to get the most best gift on Christmas night.
Official residence of Santa Claus
From generation to generation, it is secretly reported that Santa Claus flies to visit people on a magic sleigh. Who controls them? Oddly enough, it was deer! At Christmas, they can move not only in the snow, but also high in the sky. Even the names of each reindeer in the team are known:
- Rudolph. He stands at the head of the team and stands out with his glowing red nose. He entered folklore later than others - in 1939.
- Dasher ("Swift").
- Dancer (“Dancer”).
- Vixen ("Vicious").
- Komet ("Comet").
- Prancer (“Prancing”).
- Cupid (“Cupid”).
- Donner (or "Dander", "Thunder").
- Blitzen (or "Bliksem", "Lightning").
For the first time, the names of deer were listed by Clark Clement Moore in his poem “On the Night Before Christmas”, publishing the work in the USA in 1823.
Fairy tales about flying deer further strengthen the belief that a man in a red sheepskin coat can work miracles. But what about adults who dream of making their childhood dreams come true? The answer is simple! - Visit the official residence of Santa Claus. It is located in Finnish Lapland on the Korvatunturi hill. From Rovaniemi you need to drive 8 km to get to Santa Claus Village. In fact, the office of an old man with a white beard was built right on the Arctic Circle!
In the village you can find not only the house of Santa Claus, but also numerous workshops, souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants. Generous on good deeds an old man in a red sheepskin coat receives visitors in his own office. It is here that the 700 thousand letters that his faithful assistants, the elves, deliver throughout the year from the Main Post Office are sorted out.
To delight yourself and your loved ones, you can send a postcard or even a letter from this amazing place on the planet. The envelope will have a unique Arctic Circle stamp on it, which will add value to it in the eyes of others!
The best thing to do is ride through the snow-covered fields on a sleigh driven by deer or huskies. Fans of driving snowmobiles can take an interest in the secrets of Finnish racers, and then enroll in a local driving school. When the northern lights appear, your heart begins to skip a beat in surprise, and goosebumps run down your spine. What could be more beautiful than the very grace of nature? It’s a pity that such a spectacle is difficult to predict in advance.
Why give up a fairy tale if ordinary life is there a place for it? And even though some children begin to understand with age who buys them gifts for Christmas, their belief in miracles remains with them forever!
Santa Claus is a character who has migrated from fairy tales to reality. Children and teenagers believe in him, and adults resort to his help. The existence of a hero explains the unusual events occurring in new year holidays. A grey-bearded old man in a traditional red suit takes care of children and prepares gifts throughout the year. Surprises placed under the tree on New Year's Eve are expected by kids no less than birthday presents. Relationships with fictional character are built on faith in him and in miracles.
History of appearance
It's hard to believe that Santa Claus is... real person. He lived in ancient times, and his homeland was called not Lapland, but the Lycian Worlds. These are lands located in the territory of present-day Turkey. Mentions of the character date back to 253 AD. The citizen's name is Saint Nicholas. He worked in the rank of bishop, was known as a respectable person and was respected for his faith. Having savings, Saint Nicholas shared with those in need and helped them to the best of his ability. Sailors, merchants and bakers considered him a patron, and children doted on the good hero.
According to tradition established in the 10th century, December 6 was the day of distribution of gifts at the Cologne Cathedral. The custom was quickly adopted in other cities, associating it with the famous St. Nicholas. In Russia the hero's name is .
In the 19th century, American Clement Moore created a poem called "The Night Before Christmas, or the Visit of St. Nicholas." It told the story of the grandfather going from house to house to give gifts to children who had behaved well all year. The character's name - Santa Claus - is associated with a generous donor.
By 1840, almost everyone in the New World had an idea who Santa Claus was. In 1863, artist Thomas Nast used the image of the old man in political cartoons. Subsequently, he described the life of a wizard in illustrations. Since then, it has been generally accepted that Santa Claus lives at the North Pole, and his residence accommodates many elves who help make gifts for children.
According to legend, Santa has a house where he lives and works. Here he makes entries in a book of deeds of children from all over the world, assessing who was obedient and who was naughty. It is curious that the hero was originally depicted as an elf, but over time the appearance became more human and similar to that which can be seen in modern images of the character.
Biography
Throughout the year, Santa prepares for the main holiday to pamper children with long-awaited gifts. On the eve of the holiday, he gets into a sleigh drawn by reindeer and flies across the sky to different countries, delivering gifts. Grandfather comes down the chimney into each house, leaves surprises under the tree and treats himself to cookies. Having completed the work, he goes home and again gives the task to the elves, who are collecting gifts for the kids.
Santa is wearing red pants and a jacket with a belt, a neat cap on his head, and high boots on his feet. In some images you can see that the grandfather is not averse to indulging in a smoking pipe. The old man's surroundings are peculiar, but his life story remains mysterious.
Unlike, who has a granddaughter, Santa Claus is lonely. Although some suggest that Mrs. Claus has a right to exist. The old man takes care of himself and has a weakness for milk and cookies, which are usually left for him under the Christmas tree. Among his friends are elves and deer, creatures with whom Santa easily finds a common language.
The magic sleigh is moved through the air by forest deer: Dasher - Swift, Dancer - Dancer, Prancer - Jumper, Vixen - Frisky, Comet - Comet, Cupid - Cupid, Donder - Thunder, Blitzen - Lightning and Rudolf. The last horse joined the herd by accident, overtaking the deer during a snowstorm. It is distinguished by a bright red glowing nose.
If we talk about the person who served as the prototype for Santa Claus, then his biography has more confirmation and known details. Nicholas was born in Asia Minor in 255-257. AD in Patara. The boy's parents died, leaving their property to the heir. He lived with his priest uncle and helped those in need. There is a known case involving the family of a poor man whose daughters could not marry due to lack of a dowry. The girls were going to be sold into slavery.
The night before the first deal eldest daughter I hung the stockings up to dry after washing, and in the morning I found gold in them. Nicholas helped the girls find happiness. He came to the rescue secretly. After a while he was elected bishop. The hero's life was an example of faith, generosity and cordiality. After Nicholas's death, the tradition of giving gifts and leaving surprises in New Year's stockings continued.
Quotes and facts
IN different countries Santa Claus appears in different ways, and different languages His name sounds different around the world. In Russia and Belarus this is Father Frost, in Austria - Sylvester, in Greece - Saint Basil, in Germany - Weinachtsman, in Colombia - Pope Pascual, in France - Père Noel. Holland is a country where Santa is called Sinterklaas. In each state, the wizard hides gifts in his own way. In Sweden, children find them near the stove, in Germany - on the windowsill, in Mexico - in boots, and in Spain - on the balcony. In one corner of the world Santa Claus - pagan god, in another - a wizard, and in the third - a forest dweller.
In Europe, it is generally accepted that the over-aged children's favorite lives in Lapland. Many families come to stay at Santa Claus's residence on the eve of the New Year. In America, grandfather has residence in Torrington, Connecticut and Wilmington, New York.
Americans made Santa Claus the idol of millions. Thanks to the famous advertising campaign of the Coca-Cola brand, the image of a lively grandfather was fixed in the minds of children and adults. It is not surprising that cartoon characters in the United States accurately voice the nuances of Santa's biography.
“Don’t you know the true meaning of Christmas? It's Santa's birthday!" - speaks .
In the cartoon "Santa's Secret Service", the position of chief magician is passed down from generation to generation, and main character declares with dignity:
“Many years ago, my father told me that being Santa was the best job in the world. He was right: I love my job!”
The kind image of a plump old man bringing gifts is cultivated in America and other countries, allowing children to believe in magic and fairy tales. Every New Year's film broadcast during the holidays contains philosophical quotes on this subject.
Film adaptations
Billy Bob Thornton in the movie "Bad Santa" Santa has become the hero of numerous animated projects and films. In comedies, parents of large families, notorious bandits, heroes who do not believe in the power of Christmas, and those who lack love and warmth during the cold winter holidays appear in the form of a New Year's wizard.
Filmmakers present Santa Claus as an ordinary family man in the 1994 film “The Santa Claus,” introduce the public to the character forced to play the role of a good wizard in the 2003 film “Bad Santa,” and offer to learn what a grandfather’s family might look like. The film “Fred Claus” tells about this. Santa's Brother" 2007 release. Thanks to the imagination of the directors, the hero of traditional legends appears in a modern form and remains a favorite of the public, regardless of the plot of the film.
If you ask the Finns where Santa Claus comes from, they will answer: “From Korvatunturi, the hills in Lapland.”
The Dutch call him Sinterklaas, and the Germans call him Weihnachtsmann. Well, for you he’s probably just Santa.
It has many names, and every nation considers it its own. But still, one country has more reason to be called the home of Santa Claus.
It is believed that the prototype of modern Santa Claus was the generous Christian saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, who lived in the Middle Ages. In the 4th century, Saint Nicholas was the bishop of the small Roman town of Myra, which is now located in Turkey. And although the location of the saint’s relics is still in question (some believe that they are in Italy, while others claim that they are in Ireland), in October 2017, Turkish archaeologists discovered a burial place under the church of St. Nicholas in Antalya province, not far from the ruins ancient Myra. They assume that the remains in this grave are the ashes of the saint.
If Türkiye can prove that it is where St. Nikolay, then Santa’s fans will have to radically change their place of pilgrimage. However, Finland is entering the fray and has something to say.
Lapland, the birthplace of Santa Claus according to the Finns. Photo: Citikka/Alamy Stock Photo
If you ask the Finns where Santa’s homeland is, they will answer: “On Korvatunturi, the Lapland hill.”
Many Finns believe that Santa's secret workshop is located on this hill, where herds of reindeer roam through huge snowdrifts. Although the workshop was discovered there only in 1927 (announced by radio presenter Markus Rautio), belief in Santa Claus has existed in Finland for much longer.
Christianity came to Finland in the Middle Ages, and before that the pagan Finns celebrated the holiday winter solstice Yule is associated with many traditions. St. Knut's Day (January 13) in many Scandinavian countries closes the holiday week. On this day, nuutipukki (people in fur coats, birch bark masks and with horns) went from house to house, demanding gifts and begging for leftover food. Nuutipukki were by no means good spirits: if they didn’t get what they wanted, they started making loud noise and scaring the children.
When in the 19th century in Finland they first learned about St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, his image mixed with the image of ancient “spirits” in masks. Thus appeared Joulupukki, dressed in a red fur coat. This translates from Finnish as “Christmas goat.” Instead of demanding gifts, Joulupukki began to give them. Unlike Santa Claus, he does not enter the house through the chimney, but knocks on the door and asks: “Onko tällä kilttejä lapsia?” (Ónko talla kilteya lápsiya - Are there children here who behave well?) After Joulupukki gives gifts to everyone, he returns to the Korvatunturi hill, the name of which literally translates as “Ear Hill”. And according to Finnish beliefs, Joulupukki hears everything from here.
Finnish Santa Claus was included in the Inventory of Living Heritage. Photo: Ilkka Siren
In November 2017, the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture approved the inclusion of Joulupukki (i.e. the Finnish Santa Claus) in the National Inventory of Living Heritage, a list maintained by the National Council of Antiquities as part of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible cultural heritage.
“This was a big step for Finnish Santa Claus and for us,” said Jari Ahjoharju, a spokesman for the Finnish Santa Claus Foundation. “We hope that eventually the Finnish version of Santa Claus will be included in the UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage List.”
According to Ahjoharju, although UNESCO does not recognize Santa Claus exclusively Finnish tradition, for Finland the inclusion of Joulupukki in this list will still play a role big role and will strengthen its position as Santa's home.
Finnish Santa lives in Rovaniemi. Photo: Tony Lewis/Getty Images
Then why even apply for Santa? It would probably be better to ask: “Who doesn’t want to consider Santa theirs?” First of all, for many, Santa Claus is the main good wizard who loves to have fun, give gifts and bring joy to people. Of course, some see him only as the modern face of marketing, but it’s hard to disagree with the fact that Santa infects everyone with a festive mood. After all, whether he exists or not, he is a messenger of goodwill.
So yes, tourist considerations play an important role here. According to Visit Finland statistics, the number of people staying in Lapland has increased by almost 18% over last year. Although everyone goes there mainly for the northern lights, Ahjoharju says many tourists coming to Lapland are drawn to Rovaniemi, the village of Santa Claus, to meet good wizard. It is a very significant attraction that makes an invaluable contribution to the development of Finnish tourism.
Our New Year We cannot imagine without the kind Father Frost and his granddaughter Snegurochka. Not a single Western Christmas (Europe, England, USA and others) is complete without the most important character - Santa Claus. But who is this kind-hearted gift-giver? This real character or fictitious? Why was he called that and where does he live? I will try to answer all these questions for you today. Santa Claus I can definitely say that Santa Claus is quite real person who lived in ancient times. True, his name was different, he looked different, and he was born not in Lapland, as is commonly believed, but in the town of Myra Lycia in 253 AD, in modern Turkey. And then his name was Saint Nicholas. He was a simple bishop who was ready to accept death for his faith and always fought for good.
There were legends that Saint Nicholas himself was very wealthy, but not greedy. He helped all the unfortunate and poor, at night he quietly threw coins into their shoes, which they left at the doors, and put delicious pies on the windows. So Saint Nicholas became the children's favorite. However, merchants, bakers, prisoners and sailors also chose him as their patron and saint.
But how did it become a symbol of Christmas? St. Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 6th. In the 10th century, in the cathedral of the German city of Cologne, students of a Christian school began to be given out pastries and fruit on this day. Very quickly this tradition became widespread in other cities and countries. Remembering the legend, people began to hang special holiday stockings or shoes at night so that Nicholas would put his gifts there.
It is generally accepted that the Saint, who enters houses at night and descends the chimney, brings gifts to obedient children, and rods to mischievous children, naughty children and pranksters. Therefore, long before the holiday, children try to behave well, and parents, if they behave badly, immediately remind them that they can receive rods as a gift. Sometimes, even along with gifts, children are given small twigs.
How did Saint Nicholas become Santa Claus? This character came to the USA from Holland in the 17th century. In 1626, a frigate of several Dutch ships arrived in New World. On the bow of the main ship “Goede Vrove” stood the figure of Nicholas, who, as I already said, was also the patron saint of sailors.
The sailors bought land from the indigenous people of America - the Indians - for $24 and gave the settlement the name “New Amsterdam”. Today this “village” has become the most big city USA and one of the most famous cities in the world - New York. The Dutch removed the saint’s figurine from the ship and moved it to the main square so that Nicholas could defend the village.
Only the Indians and new residents spoke some kind of language of their own, and not English. They could not clearly pronounce the name of the saint and the phrase sounded like “Sinter Klas”, then it was transformed into “Santa Klas”, and over time into the familiar “Santa Claus”. This is how Saint Nicholas miraculously transformed into Santa Claus, who delivers gifts home on Christmas Eve.
However, the story of Santa Claus's transformation does not end there. Clement Clarke Moore's poem The Parish of St. Nicholas, published on Christmas Eve 1822, became important stage reincarnation. 20 quatrains describe a child’s meeting with Santa Claus, who brought him gifts. In the poem, practically nothing remained of the former saint; he was completely devoid of rigor and seriousness. 
Santa on a Sleigh By K. Moore, Santa is a cheerful, cheerful elf with a pipe in his mouth and a round belly. As a result of this metamorphosis, Nicholas forever lost his episcopal appearance and switched to a team of reindeer. In 1823, the poem "The Night Before Christmas" listed the names of Santa's 8 reindeer:
- Blixem (Lightning)
- Dunder (Dumb)
- Cupid (Cupid)
- Comet (Comet)
- Vixen (Vicious)
- Prancer (Prancing)
- Dancer (Dancer)
- Dasher (Awesome)
It was not until 1939 that the ninth reindeer, Rudolph, appeared with a large and shiny reddish nose. Rudolph Meanwhile, illustrator Thomas Nast refined the image of Santa Claus in detail in 1860-1880. in Harper's magazine. Santa now has such irreplaceable attributes as a list of good and bad children, the North Pole. But this is not the end of the transformation.
Klaus, completely devoid of a holy halo, was dressed up in all sorts of colorful clothes. But in 1931, the famous brand Coca Cola launched an advertising campaign, the face of which was Santa Claus. Haddon Sundblom - American artist- portrayed a white-bearded, good-natured old man in red and white clothes and holding soda in his hands.
As a result, Santa Claus acquired the image that we can all see today. This is a plump, cheerful old man delivering gifts on Christmas night. He must have a red jacket or short fur coat, a white beard, a red hat and trousers with white trim. Santa Claus rides on a sleigh pulled by 9 reindeer and brimming with gifts for obedient children around the world.
In the UK it is usually called “Father Christmas”, which means “Father Christmas”. But our Russian Father Frost has nothing to do with Saint Nicholas. Our Grandfather Frost is a folklore ritual character who lives in the forest or, as today is believed, his residence is in Veliky Ustyug. Winter is his wife. Together they rule the earth from November to March. In very old fairy tales he is sometimes called Morozko or Grandfather Treskun.
Where does Santa Claus live today?
The most close relative Santa Claus is Yolupukki, who lives in Lapland, and Santa Claus also lives here. Since 1984, by decision of the UN, Lapland was officially proclaimed the Land of Father Frost. Santa's residence is also located here, where he lives with the gnomes and elves all year round. It is there that children from all over the world write letters with wishes to the address: Arctic Circle, 96 930, Finland or to the website: santamail.com.
The Finnish government elevated Santa Claus to a cult status, built him a house on the slope of Mount Korvatunturi, made advertising, created a website and announced his email address to the whole world. It is Jolupukki from Lapland (Finland) who receives the most letters every day from adults and children from all over the world.
Every year on December 24 at noon, he rides his reindeer to the oldest Finnish town of Turku, accompanied by a tontu, his young assistants - girls and boys in red overalls and caps. Here, from the city council building, the arrival of Christmas is announced and New Year's songs are sung.
But thanks to American advertising and persistence, Western Santa Claus gradually replaced the English Father Christmas, the Finnish Jolupukki, and the French Father Christmas. And even our beloved and dear Grandfather Frost. I will say even more, the Turks erected a monument to St. Nicholas in the city of Demra, but it is not a bishop who stands on the pedestal, but a cheerful bearded man with a huge bag of gifts!
However, apparently, these are not final changes in the image of the saint. For example, in Israel, where religious traditions, Christmas is not celebrated. And if you want to buy Christmas cards or other accessories there, you will have a hard time finding them.
But that’s why they are Jews - they will find a way out of any situation! On the shelves of Israeli stores on Christmas Eve, postcards with the image of Santa Claus, wearing a Jewish kippah instead of the traditional red cap, began to appear on his head. There are no holiday greetings on the cards yet, but something tells me: Tolya will still be there!
When asked where Santa Claus lives, each of us will answer that he lives in Lapland. This fabulous mysterious country known to us since childhood. Does Lapland exist in reality?
Lapland exists, not as a separate country, but as an ethnic territory beyond the Arctic Circle, covering the extreme northern territories of countries such as Finland, Sweden, Norway and Russia. In this amazing northern region, in addition to the usual four seasons, there is a mysterious time of midnight twilight, when the sun does not rise above the horizon. This time of extraordinary colors and peace lasts from December to January.
In Finnish Lapland there is Mount Korvatunturi, where Santa Claus lives in the company of hardworking gnomes. The shape of the mountain is very reminiscent of a hare’s ears, hence its name, which means “ear mountain”.
For some time now, Santa Claus has moved to the vicinity of the capital of Finnish Lapland, Rovaniemi. Every day he descends from Mount Korvanturi to his office, which is located in Rovaniemi. The office officially opened in 1985, but even earlier, in 1950, a hut was built on its site, which was later converted into an office. A whole village with an amusement park, workshops, a puppet theater, shopping center and the main post office, which receives numerous letters from boys and girls from all over the planet. In their letters, the children ask Santa to fulfill their most cherished dreams.
It’s always fun in Santa Claus’s office; you can hear the multilingual speech of guests coming here from all over the world. The Christmas atmosphere is present here all year round. The residence of Santa Claus hosts Christmas performances, which include gnomes and elves, all year round. puppet theater, international concerts and many more different interesting events. Santa's workshop and office in Rovaniemi becomes an unforgettable meeting place for many Christmas friends and goodwill ambassadors from all over the world.
In 1998, the Santa Park themed entertainment center was built here, deep in the Syväsenvaara cave. The year-round Christmas atmosphere present in the park gives guests an encounter with childhood and a fairy tale. The park has four main attractions and many other attractions. Among the attractions are a magical sleigh ride, Santa Claus helicopters, a carousel, etc. In the multi-video center, viewers will see Santa Claus racing across the starry sky on reindeer.
Santa Claus lives in Rovaniemi and is the main attraction not only of this city, but of the whole of Lapland.
