Santa Claus in Other Countries

Santa's history is long and varied but for many decades the American Santa Claus has been a universal figure in English speaking countries. With the late 20^th century revival of globalization (the world was more "globalized" before World War I) and the advent of the internet, Santa Claus has become a prime Christmas figure in every corner of the globe (do globes have corners?).

Although other countries have long had different gift-giver characters, Santa Claus is now numero uno in much of the world. So with that in mind let's take a brief trip around the world and find out about Santa Claus in other countries.

In BrazilSanta is known as Papai Noel and in Rio he arrives by helicopter to kick off Christmas celebrations on December 20.

In Austria and Switzerland Santa Claus has all but replaced Austria's traditional gift-giver; Christkind or the "Christ child." Many Austrians are attempting to overthrow Santa and bring Christkind back in preeminence.

In Germany the traditional Santa is known as Weihnachtsman, or "Christmas man" but as in Austria, red-suited Santa Claus is making himself widely known.

Russia's Christmas figure was St. Nicholas until the rise of communism. Under Stalin St. Nick was replaced by Ded Moroz (Dead Moron) or Grandfather Frost who dressed in green or blue rode in a sleigh pulled by three horses. Grandfather Frost (Jack's Grandpa?) wasn't as kindly a gentleman as Santa. Today Santa Claus is back in full force and Grandfather Frost takes a back seat.

In Asia people of many countries have adopted Santa Claus. Is it any wonder? Every year fleets of ships are filled with American Christmas gifts that are made in Asia.

Iceland's gift giver legends include 13 Santa figures, known as the Jolasveinar. But beware; a pair of mischievous ogres goes on a 14 day trickster spree prior to Christmas.

In France and other countries around the world with French legacies the traditional Santa is known as Pere Noel (Father Christmas). Old Pere loves giving gifts to good boys and girls but like every superhero, he's accompanied by a sidekick, a ghoulish character named Le Pere Fouettard (Father Spanking). It's Pere Pouettard's job to whip bad boys and girls with switches he carries with him. Don't be bad in France!

That's just a spackling of Santa Claus identities around the world. It doesn't appear white-bearded red-suited Ol' Santa will slow down any time soon on his conquest of the world.

Merry Christmas

Sources:

"Santa Treads on Grandfather Frost's Toes"
By Michael Wines
New York Times Friday, December 24, 1999

"Q and A"
By Suzanne MacNeille
New York Times Sunday, November 29, 1998

"Vienna Journal; For Austrians, Ho-Ho-Ho Is No Laughing Matter"
By Mark Landler
New York Times Thursday, December 12, 2002

"Ideas & Trends; Have a Very Scary Christmas"
Tom Zeller
New York Times Sunday, December 24, 2000