November 18 - Birthday of Santa Claus: history and traditions of the holiday

Every year on November 18, Russia's most beloved magician and the main symbol of the New Year - Ded Moroz - celebrates his birthday. In 2024, the holiday falls on Monday. On why this date was chosen for the celebration and how to congratulate the birthday boy, read in the material "Izvestia".

Birthday of Santa Claus - the history of the holiday on November 18

Ded Moroz - one of the most famous fairy tale characters in Russia. Without this magician and his granddaughter Snegurochka does not do without any celebration of the New Year. The prototype of the good grandfather in Slavic mythology were the spirits of winter and cold: Krachun, Treskun and Studenets. They were respected, but at the same time feared for their harsh temperament.

The familiar image of a gray-bearded old man in a red coat appeared much later. He was first mentioned in Vladimir Odoyevsky's children's book "Tales of Grandpa Iriney", published in 1840. The hero of one of the stories was Moroz Ivanovich, into whose possessions two sisters - the Handmaiden and the Sloth. The former was rewarded for her modesty and diligence, while the latter received a well-deserved punishment.

By the beginning of the XX century, the image of the winter wizard was almost completely formed, and Santa Claus began to be associated by children and adults with the celebration of Christmas. However, after the revolution of 1917, all Christian holidays and their attributes were banned, this applied to Santa Claus.

Nevertheless, already in 1937, the fairy-tale grandfather returned to children again - though not for Orthodox Christmas, but for the secular New Year. At the same time he got his granddaughter Snegurochka. Together they congratulated the guests of the festive Christmas tree in the Moscow House of Unions.

In 1998 the construction of the Santa Claus residence in Veliky Ustyug began. It opened for guests in 2002. And in 2005, the wizard officially celebrated his birthday for the first time. The date of the holiday, November 18, was not chosen by chance. By this day in the Vologda region, where Grandpa lives, meteorological winter is coming.

It is difficult to name the exact age of Santa Claus. If the point of reference is his first appearance in Odoevsky's book, then in 2024 the main symbol of the New Year will be 184 years old. If we count from the time of the ancient Slavs, the wizard is already more than a thousand years old. And officially his birthday is celebrated only for the 19th time.

Birthday of Santa Claus in 2024: traditions of the holiday

The center of the celebration of the birthday of Santa Claus traditionally becomes Veliky Ustyug. Every year, the wizard's residence prepares a large-scale program for children and adults. Guests can take part in games, contests and sports competitions, as well as meet their favorite fairy tale characters. In the evening, the first New Year's lights are lit on the city's main Christmas tree, and the next day the Santa Claus train sets off on its journey across Russia.

To congratulate the birthday boy come and his "colleagues" from other regions. The holiday is visited by Karelian Santa Claus Pakkaine, Mother Winter and the Snowman from the Arkhangelsk region, Berendei from Pereslavl-Zalessky, Tol Babai and Abyda from Udmurtia and other fairy tale characters.

In addition, on November 18, Ded Moroz's mail will start working. Anyone can send a letter to the wizard at the address 162390, Russia, Vologda region, the city of Veliky Ustyug, the House of Santa Claus. In some cities of the Russian Federation also install special mailboxes, in which you can drop wishes and congratulations for Grandpa.

Ded Morozes from different regions of Russia

Every New Year, the inhabitants of Russia are congratulated not only by Santa Claus and Snow Maiden, but also by other magical characters. Many regions of the country have their own fairy tales about the kind spirits of winter, who bring presents to children and protect lost travelers.

In Tatarstan, the main character of New Year holidays is called Kysh Babai. This is the folklore name of the winter deity Tengre, who was born on the longest and coldest night of the year (December 21-22). It is believed that he is responsible for the cheerful celebration of the New Year and can fulfill any wish. Kysh Babai has his own residence in the village of Yana Kyrlay, located 60 kilometers from Kazan.

The chief wizard of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District is called Yamal Iri. He wears national clothes, and on his belt he hangs a carved piece of jewelry made of mammoth tusk. He also has a magic tambourine made of reindeer skin, which helps ward off evil spirits. The wizard's faithful companions are tireless northern husky dogs.

Residents of Udmurtia call Santa Claus Tol Babai. According to local legends, he comes from a family of ancient giants Alangasars, who inhabited the earth long before people. The wizard knows everything about the healing plants of the forest, and also speaks fluently the language of animals and birds. Over many centuries of living side by side with humans, his appearance has changed. Now every winter he comes to the holiday in the guise of a gray-haired elder.

The Kabardino-Balkar Santa Claus Wes Dade lives high in the mountains. Instead of a magic staff, he carries a traditional dagger, and his faithful horse replaces the reindeer carriage. A week before the New Year he comes down from the mountains to congratulate the inhabitants of the region and give gifts to children.

Earlier, experts from the travel planning service OneTwoTrip shared a winter travel calendar with Izvestia.