(W)international hints: Santa Claus
In our new series of articles published twice a week before the holidays, we will give you all the useful tips regarding Christmas season in Pécs. Wether it is about traditions, music or charity, you can find the most relevant informations tailored to the international needs to get the most out of your holiday season in the city. This time you will find out more about the Hungarian Santa Claus called "Mikulás".
Unlike the Santa Claus in the United States, his Hungarian version wears red cloak, hat and holds a crosier in the hand. All these „accessories” show the catholic origin of Saint Nicholas, the folklore figure of the bishop of Myra. Legend says, that a poor man had 3 daughters, however he didn’t have the money to get them married. To save them from staying unweds, Nicholas put a purse full of gold each night at the window of the man. As a result of this story, he became the guardian of the children and students, however the modern figure’s elements originate from the German speaking region. In Germany he is called Nikolaus, in the Netherlands Sinterklaas, in Belgium St. Niklaas. The modern Hungarian tradition says, that „Mikulás” visits the children on the night of 5 December, the dawn of 6 December. Those kids have been good during the year, will get a small presents if they put their well-cleaned boots in the window. These are usually small red bags filled with chocolate figures, oranges and small toys. If they have been bad, they only get a birch as a reminder of their naughtiness. This practice is only common since the 19th century, giving presents on this day was spread during the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. These times devils were the helpers of Santa, however due to the globalisation, from the 1950’s on he comes from Lapland on a reindeer sleigh and works alone.
No matter where he is from, he still symbolyses generosity and the importance of doing good to others. Therefore, around 6 December many local civil organisations and charitable foundations collect donations and gifts for the children in need.
Pécs has a tradition of it's own on this day, which started back in 2011. A group of misterious strangers put Santa hats on all statues in the city centre in the night before 6 December, so in the morning every figure reminded us to the day of Santa. First, the city government removed them, however next year took part in the guerilla action and helped the secret Santa team to place the hats on statues that were difficult to climb. You can take a look at some pirctures of the statues with the hats here!
