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Christmas Around The World
Christmas around the
world is rich with traditions. In some countries, Santa Claus is known by a
different name. In Germany, Santa is refered to as Weihnachtsmann for
"Christmas man." Also, Kris Kringle comes from the southern Germany
Christkindle, meaning "Christ child." This mutated in some areas of the
world into a name for Santa Claus. Santa Claus is known as Pere Noel in France and
Papa Noel in many Spanish speaking countries. Other variations of his name range
from Sant Nikolaas to Sante Klaas to Nicholas of Bari to Nicholas of Myra. The
Italian Befana is a similar figure as is Russia's grandmotherly Babouschka. In
Denmark he's called Julemanden, or Christmas Man. Also, Joulupukki, or Yule Buck,
evolved from the "Christmas Goat" used to frighten children in Finland.
Korvatunturi, Mount Ear near Polar Circle, is often portrayed as Santa's home. In every
country, however,the children see Santa and he asks if they have been good.
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