470- Another Visit from the Three Santas of Slovenia | 99% Invisible

Intro

In this episode of “99% Invisible,” reporter Will Aspenar explores the unique Christmas traditions of Slovenia, where children are visited by three different Santas. These Santas, Bosy Czech, Miklaus, and Dedek Maras, reflect Slovenia’s complicated history and are an important part of the country’s customs and language.

Main Takeaways

Slovenia’s Three Santas

• Slovenian children are visited by Santa Claus (Bosy Czech) on Christmas Eve, Catholic saint Miklaus on December 5th, and Dedek Maras on New Year’s Day.
• Each Santa represents a different period in Slovenia’s history and reflects the country’s complicated past.
• Slovenia has the highest Santa to citizen ratio in the world.

The History and Significance of the Santas

• The preservation of the Slovenian language has helped maintain the homogeneity of the Slovenian people despite the challenges faced by Europe over the centuries.
• Saint Nicholas, also known as Sveti Miklavž in Slovenia, is the central figure of Christmas traditions in the country.
• After World War II, the communist authorities in Yugoslavia suppressed Catholicism and banned the celebration of St. Nicholas, leading to the need for a replacement for the traditional Christmas figure.
• Tito, the leader of Yugoslavia, introduced a new Christmas figure called Dedek Miraz, inspired by the Soviet Union’s “Ded Moroz.”
• Each Yugoslav nation, including Slovenia, was allowed to create its own version of Dedek Miraz, leading to a distinctly Slovenian design by painter Maxine Gaspari.

The Coexistence of Different Traditions

• After Slovenia declared independence from Yugoslavia, the country embraced Santa Claus as a symbol of a democratic, capitalist-friendly nation.
• However, the traditional Slovenian Christmas character, Dedek Miraz, survived the transition and was embraced alongside Santa Claus.
• Slovenians now celebrate all three Christmas figures – Dedek Miraz, Santa Claus, and Sveti Miklausch – in a month-long festival called Mary of Vaselli December, embracing the coexistence of different traditions.

The Importance of the Santas

• The three Santas, Bosy Czech, Miklaus, and Dedek Maras, represent different factions in Slovenian society.
• Many families in Slovenia celebrate all three Santas, while others may opt for one or two.
• Performers take their roles as the Santas seriously and aim to bring comfort to the children of Slovenia.

Summary

Slovenia’s Three Santas and Their Historical Significance

In Slovenia, children are visited by three different Santas during the Christmas season. Bosy Czech, Santa Claus, visits on Christmas Eve, Catholic saint Miklaus visits on December 5th, and Dedek Maras visits on New Year’s Day. These three Santas represent different periods in Slovenia’s history and reflect the country’s complicated past. Slovenia has the highest Santa to citizen ratio in the world, highlighting the importance of these figures in Slovenian customs and traditions.

The Evolution of Slovenian Christmas Figures

The preservation of the Slovenian language has played a significant role in maintaining the homogeneity of the Slovenian people throughout history. Saint Nicholas, known as Sveti Miklavž in Slovenia, is the central figure of Christmas traditions in the country. However, after World War II, the celebration of St. Nicholas was banned by the communist authorities in Yugoslavia. This led to the introduction of Dedek Miraz, a Christmas figure inspired by the Soviet Union’s “Ded Moroz.” Each Yugoslav nation, including Slovenia, created its own version of Dedek Miraz, with a distinctly Slovenian design by painter Maxine Gaspari.

The Coexistence of Different Christmas Traditions in Slovenia

After Slovenia declared independence from Yugoslavia, the country embraced Santa Claus as a symbol of its transition to a democratic, capitalist-friendly nation. However, the traditional Slovenian Christmas character, Dedek Miraz, survived the transition and was embraced alongside Santa Claus. Slovenians now celebrate all three Christmas figures – Dedek Miraz, Santa Claus, and Sveti Miklausch – in a month-long festival called Mary of Vaselli December. This festival showcases the coexistence of different traditions and reflects the cultural diversity of Slovenia.

The Significance of the Santas in Slovenian Society

The three Santas, Bosy Czech, Miklaus, and Dedek Maras, represent different factions in Slovenian society. Many families in Slovenia celebrate all three Santas, while others may choose to celebrate one or two. Performers take their roles as the Santas seriously, aiming to bring comfort and joy to the children of Slovenia. Despite the dominance of Santa Claus, the popularity of alternative characters like Dedek Maras reflects the diversity of Slovenian culture and traditions.

Conclusion

The Christmas traditions in Slovenia are rich in history and cultural significance. The three Santas – Bosy Czech, Miklaus, and Dedek Maras – represent different periods in Slovenia’s past and are an integral part of the country’s customs and language. The coexistence of these Santas, along with the embrace of Santa Claus, showcases the diversity and resilience of Slovenian traditions. Whether celebrating all three Santas or choosing one or two, Slovenians continue to cherish and preserve their unique Christmas heritage.