Ded Moroz
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{for|the Russian fairy tale Father Frost|Father Frost (fairy tale)}}
{{short description|Christmas figure in eastern Slavic cultures}}{{Infobox mythical creature|name=Ded Moroz
Дед Мороз|image=250px|caption=Ded Moroz from Veliky Ustyug|Similar_entities=Santa Claus, Father Christmas and Ayaz Ata|Family=Snegurochka (Granddaughter)|Folklore=Russian, Slavic and Eastern European|AKA=Morozko, Dzmer Pap, Did Moroz, Şaxta Baba, Dzied Maroz, Died Moraz, Dyeda Mraz, Bobo Barfi, Chykhaan, Ayaz Ata, Kysh Babay|Country=Russia (before: Soviet Union, Russian Empire)|Region=Northwest Russia, Siberia, Central Russia, Eastern Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia, North Asia, Volga Region, Ural|Habitat=Northwest Russia}}Ded Moroz,{{efn|({{langx|ru|Дед Мороз|translit=Ded Moroz}}, {{IPA|ru|dʲet mɐˈros|}}; Russian diminutive: {{langx|ru|Дедушка Мороз|translit=Dedushka Moroz}}; {{langx|sk|Dedo Mráz}}; {{langx|pl|Dziadek Mróz}}; {{langx|be|Дзед Мароз|translit=Dzied Maroz}}; {{langx|uk|Дід Мороз|translit=Did Moroz}}; {{langx|sr|Деда Мраз/Deda Mraz}}; Macedonian: Дедо Мраз; {{Langx|bg|Дядо Мраз|translit=Djado Mraz}}}} or Morozko ({{langx|ru|Морозко|translit=Morozko}}), is a legendary figure similar to Father Christmas, and Santa Claus who has his roots in Slavic mythology. The tradition of Ded Moroz is mostly spread in East Slavic countries and is a significant part of Russian culture. At the beginning of the Soviet era, communist authorities banned Ded Moroz. However, the ban was lifted and he soon became a significant part of Soviet culture. The literal translation of Ded Moroz is Grandfather Frost or Old Man Frost, but traditionally the name is translated as Father Frost.File:Contes de l'isba (1931) - Le Froid 3.jpg|311x311px]]
File:Дед Мороз.jpg: Ded Moroz 1885. A sketch of the costume for "The Snow Maiden"]]Ded Moroz wears a heel-length fur coat, in red or blue, a semi-round fur hat, and valenki on his feet. He has a long white beard. He walks with a long magic stick{{cite web
| url=http://goeasteurope.about.com/od/russianculture/a/dedmorozrussiansanta.htm
| title=Ded Moroz, the Russian Santa: Ded Moroz, or 'Grandfather Frost' is Russia's Santa Claus by Kerry Kubilius
| access-date=26 November 2010
| publisher=About.com
| archive-date=7 July 2011
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707075034/http://goeasteurope.about.com/od/russianculture/a/dedmorozrussiansanta.htm
| url-status=dead
}} and often rides a troika. He is often depicted bringing presents to well-mannered children, often delivering them in person in the days of December and secretly under the New Year Tree{{cite web |last1=Roache |first1=Madaline |title=How Soviet Russia Banished Their Version of Santa Claus, Then Brought Him Back to Spread Communist Cheer |url=https://time.com/5922931/santa-claus-soviet-history/ |website=Time |publisher=Time |access-date=27 December 2024}} over night on New Year's Eve.
The residence of Ded Moroz in Russia is considered to be the town of Veliky Ustyug, Vologda Oblast. The residence of the Belarusian Dzyed Maroz is said to be in Belavezhskaya Pushcha.
In East Slavic cultures, Ded Moroz is accompanied by Snegurochka ({{langx|ru|Снегурочка}}, Snegurochka; {{langx|be|Снягурка}}, Sniahurka; {{langx|uk|Снігуронька}}, Snihurońka; "Snow Maiden"), his granddaughter and helper.
Development of the character
File:Anti Did Moroz soviet propaganda.jpg, 1928|left]]
The origins of the character of Ded Moroz predates Christianity as a Slavic personification of winter.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eD5AkdM83iIC&q=Morozko|title=Encyclopedia of Russian & Slavic Myth and Legend|first=Mike|last=Dixon-Kennedy|date=2 April 1998|publisher=ABC-CLIO|access-date=2 April 2018|via=Google Books|isbn=9781576070635}}
Since the 19th century the attributes and legend of Ded Moroz have been shaped by literary influences, which were also influenced by the Western tradition of Santa Claus.Vyacheslav Ivanov, Vladimir Toporov, [https://www.peoplesmyths.com/m/moroz.html Мороз], an article from the Russian encyclopedia {{ill|Myths of the Peoples of the World|ru|Мифы народов мира}} The play The Snow Maiden (named Snegurochka in Russian) by Aleksandr Ostrovsky was influential in this respect, as was Rimsky-Korsakov's The Snow Maiden with libretto based on the play.{{cite web
| url=http://goeasteurope.about.com/od/easterneuropeanculture/a/christmascustomseasterneurope.htm
| title=Christmas Customs in Eastern Europe: Eastern Europe's Traditional Christmas Celebrations by Kerry Kubilius
| access-date=26 November 2010
| publisher=About.com
| archive-date=31 December 2010
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231073239/http://goeasteurope.about.com/od/easterneuropeanculture/a/christmascustomseasterneurope.htm
| url-status=dead
}} By the end of the 19th century Ded Moroz became a popular character.{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}} The children's tradition of writing letters to Ded Moroz has been known since the end of the 19th century.[https://dzen.ru/a/YakNPlufIH3nbigz 4 декабря – День написания писем Деду Морозу]. In Russian
Following the Russian Revolution, Christmas traditions were actively discouraged because they were considered to be "bourgeois and religious".{{in lang|ru}}[http://vz.ru/society/2005/11/29/14107.html Fir Markets] Similarly, in 1928 Ded Moroz was declared "an ally of the priest and kulak".Karen Petrone, Life Has Become More Joyous, Comrades: Celebrations in the Time of Stalin, Indiana University Press, 200, {{ISBN|0-253-33768-2}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=O_DSAvPZ7GAC&dq=Postyshev+New+Year%27s+holiday&pg=PA85 Google Print, p.85] Nevertheless, the image of Ded Moroz took its current form during Soviet times, becoming the main symbol of the New Year's holiday (Novy God) that replaced Christmas. Some Christmas traditions were revived following the famous letter by Pavel Postyshev, published in Pravda on 28 December 1935. Postyshev believed that the origins of the holiday, which were pre-Christian, were less important than the benefits it could bring to Soviet children.Image:Vladimir Putin 7 January 2008-7.jpg, President of the Russian Federation visiting Ded Moroz' residence in Veliky Ustyug on 7 January 2008|275x275px]]
In modern Russia
Ded Moroz is very popular in modern Russia.{{cite news
| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/father-frost-and-the-snow-maiden-deliver-russias-winter-warmer-1316564.html
| title=Father Frost and the Snow Maiden deliver Russia's winter warmer |first=Helen |last=Womack
| access-date=12 December 2010
| work=The Independent
| location=London
| date=31 December 1996
}} In 1998, the town of Veliky Ustyug in Vologda Oblast, Russia was declared the home of the Russian Ded Moroz by Yury Luzhkov, then Mayor of Moscow.{{cite web
| url=http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/12/15/reveling_in_russian_santas_fairytale_home05209.html
| title=Reveling in Russian Santa's fairytale home |first=Phoebe |last=Taplin
| access-date=2 July 2024
| work=Russia: Beyond the Headlines
| date=15 December 2010
| archive-date=12 July 2012
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712044329/http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/12/15/reveling_in_russian_santas_fairytale_home05209.html
| url-status=dead
}} Between 2003 and 2010, the post office in Veliky Ustyug received approximately 2,000,000 letters from within Russia and from all over the world for Ded Moroz.{{cite web |url=http://www.towns.ru/towns/ustug.html |title=Великий Устюг |trans-title=Veliky Ustyug |website=Малые Города России |trans-website=Small Towns of Russia |language=ru |access-date=2 July 2024}}{{cite web |url=http://www.christmasdivision.ru/stati/velikij-ustjug-rodina-deda-moroza |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317142602/http://www.christmasdivision.ru/stati/velikij-ustjug-rodina-deda-moroza |archive-date=17 March 2016 |title=Великий Устюг — родина Деда Мороза |trans-title=Veliky Ustyg is the birthplace of Ded Moroz |website=Christmas Division |date=8 October 2007 |language=ru}}{{cite web
| url=http://goeasteurope.about.com/od/russia/p/Veliky-Ustyug-The-Russian-Santas-Home.htm
| title=Veliky Ustyug, the Russian Santa's Home |first=Kerry |last=Kubilius
| access-date=27 November 2010
| website=About.com Eastern Europe Travel
| archive-date=7 July 2011
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707075056/http://goeasteurope.about.com/od/russia/p/Veliky-Ustyug-The-Russian-Santas-Home.htm
| url-status=dead
|url = https://vologda-oblast.ru/o_regione/brendy/ded_moroz/
|title = Veliky Ustyug – Homeland of Father Frost
|access-date = 2 July 2024
|publisher = Vologda Oblast
|url-status = live
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240608055237/https://vologda-oblast.ru/o_regione/brendy/ded_moroz/
|archive-date = 8 June 2024
}} On 7 January 2008, then President Putin of the Russian Federation visited Ded Moroz' residence in the town of Veliky Ustyug as part of the Russian Orthodox Christmas Eve celebration.{{cite web
|url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1385131.php/Putin_and_his_deputy_show_off_Russian_Christmas_traditions
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128235211/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1385131.php/Putin_and_his_deputy_show_off_Russian_Christmas_traditions
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=28 January 2013
|title=Putin and his deputy show off Russian Christmas traditions |date=7 January 2008
|access-date=27 November 2010
|publisher=Deutsche Presse-Agentur
}}
The western Santa Claus made inroads in the Russian Federation during the "turbulent" 1990s when Western culture increased its penetration into the post-Soviet Russia.{{cite news
| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russias-grandfather-frost-fights-the-invading-santas-627602.html
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910235543/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russias-grandfather-frost-fights-the-invading-santas-627602.html
| url-status=dead
| archive-date=10 September 2011
| title=Russia's Grandfather Frost fights the invading Santas
|first=Fred |last=Weir
| access-date=27 November 2010
| work=The Independent
| location=London
| date=24 December 2000
| url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/meet-russias-antidote-to-santa/
| title=Meet Russia's Antidote To Santa |first=Dave |last=Grout
| access-date=25 November 2010
| work=CBS News
| date=24 December 2007
}} The resurgence of Russia in the early 21st century brought about a renewed emphasis on the basic Slavic character of Ded Moroz. This included the Russian Federation and subordinate governments sponsoring courses about Ded Moroz every December, with the aim of establishing appropriate Slavic norms for Ded Moroz and Snegurochka ("Snow Maiden" – Ded Moroz' granddaughter) roles for the New Year holiday.{{cite web
|url=http://cnettv.cnet.com/ded-moroz-santa-claus/9742-1_53-50012880.html
|title=Video – Meet Russia's Antidote To Santa |date=25 December 2007 |first=Dave |last=Grout
|access-date=25 November 2010
|work=CBS News
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716052019/http://cnettv.cnet.com/ded-moroz-santa-claus/9742-1_53-50012880.html
|archive-date=16 July 2011
}} People playing Ded Moroz and Snegurochka now typically make appearances at children's parties during the winter holiday season, distributing presents and fighting off the wicked witch, Baba Yaga, who children are told wants to steal the gifts.{{cite web
|url = http://russiansantas.com/father-frost.html
|title = Father Frost: History
|access-date = 25 November 2010
|publisher = Russian Santas
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110715214729/http://russiansantas.com/father-frost.html
|archive-date = 15 July 2011
|url-status = dead
}}
File:Moscow's christmas markets December 2013 15.jpg]]
In November and December 2010, Ded Moroz was one of the candidates in the running for consideration as a mascot for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
=Variations of Ded Moroz in ethnic minority groups of Russia=
Many ethnic minorities have for linguistic reasons other names for Ded Moroz or even have their own culture-equivalent counterparts to Ded Moroz. For example, in Bashkir Ded Moroz is known as {{langx|ba|label=none|Ҡыш бабай|translit=Qïš babay}}, {{literal translation|Winter Old Man}}), in Tatar it has the similar spelling {{langx|tt|label=none|Кыш бабай|translit=Qış Babay}} with the same meaning. In Nenets he is known as {{lang|yrk-Latn|Yamal Iri}} ("Grandfather of Yamal").{{cite web|url=http://gov.karelia.ru/Photos/photo_e.html?id=19892|title=Photo Archive|website=gov.karelia.ru|access-date=2 April 2018|archive-date=7 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107120215/http://gov.karelia.ru/Photos/photo_e.html?id=19892|url-status=dead}} The Yakut indigenous people have their own counterpart to Ded Moroz, which is called {{lang|sah-Latn|Chys Khaan}} ("Master of Cold").{{cite web|url=https://www.rbth.com/articles/2013/01/02/a_winter_bull_21395 |title= A winter bull |website=Russia Beyond |access-date=25 February 2018|date= 2 January 2013 }}
=International relations of Ded Moroz=
Ded Moroz, and on occasion the Belarusian Dzied Maroz, are presented in the media as being in on-going détente with various counterparts from other cultures, such as the Estonian Santa Claus ({{lang|et|Jõuluvana}} or "Old man of Yule"), the Finnish Santa Claus ({{lang|fi|Joulupukki}} or "Yule Goat"), and other Santa Claus, Father Christmas, and Saint Nicholas figures.{{cite web
| url=http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1064346.html
| title=Estonia/Russia: Santa Claus Shakes Hands With Father Frost |date=1 January 2006
| access-date=25 November 2010
| publisher=Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
| url=http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=7952
| title=Russian Father Frost expects to celebrate Christmas in London |date=24 November 2010
| access-date=25 November 2010
| publisher=Interfax
| url=http://www.belarus.by/en/press-center/photo/belarusian-father-frost-and-finnish-santa-claus-_ti_102_0000000512.html
| title=Finnish Santa Claus and Belarusian Father Frost |date=22 November 2010
| access-date=25 November 2010
| publisher=Official Website of the Republic of Belarus
| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA1uCx_3SY0
|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/YA1uCx_3SY0| archive-date=12 December 2021 |url-status=live| title=Ded Maroz ('Father Frost') meets Santa Claus in Turku, Finland |date=31 December 2008
| access-date=25 November 2010
| via=YouTube
}}{{cbignore}} The détente efforts portrayed have included one-on-one meetings, group meetings and friendly competitions, such as the annual November Santa Claus championships of Celle, Germany.{{cite press release
|url=http://vologda-oblast.ru/inform.asp?id=35325&LNG=ENG
|title=Ded Moroz Presides Over the Annual International Santa Claus Championships of 28–29 November 2009 in Celle, Germany |date=27 November 2009
|access-date=27 November 2010
|publisher=Vologda Oblast
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722210218/http://vologda-oblast.ru/inform.asp?id=35325&LNG=ENG
|archive-date=22 July 2011
|url=http://vologda-oblast.ru/inform.asp?id=31077&LNG=ENG
|title=Ded Moroz Participates in Annual International Santa Claus Championships of 28–29 November 2008 in Celle, Germany |date=27 November 2008
|access-date=27 November 2010
|publisher=Vologda Oblast
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722210120/http://vologda-oblast.ru/inform.asp?id=31077&LNG=ENG
|archive-date=22 July 2011
}}
=GLONASS Tracks Ded Moroz=
In November 2009, for the first time, the Russian Federation offered competition to NORAD Tracks Santa with GLONASS Tracks Ded Moroz, which purports to use GLONASS (the Russian satellite navigation system, comparable to GPS) to track Ded Moroz on New Year's Eve (according to the Gregorian calendar).{{cite news
| url=http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2009/12/01/what-on-earth-is-happening-with-russias-gps/
| title=What on earth is happening with 'Russia's GPS'? |date=1 December 2009 |first=Julia |last=Ioffe
| access-date=20 November 2010
| publisher=Fortune
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913044551/http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2009/12/01/what-on-earth-is-happening-with-russias-gps/
| archive-date=13 September 2010
| url-status=dead
}}
The Russian-language website provides "real-time tracking" of Ded Moroz, "news" of Ded Moroz throughout the year, a form to send e-mail to Ded Moroz, photos, videos, streaming audio of Russian songs, poems and verses from children's letters to Ded Moroz, information on Veliky Ustyug in Vologda Oblast (considered to be Ded Moroz's hometown) and opportunities to enter competitions and win prizes.{{cite web
| url=http://dedmoroz.ascont.ru/
| title=Official GLONASS Tracks Ded Moroz website
| access-date=27 November 2010
| publisher=Official GLONASS Tracks Father Frost
| language=ru
}}
Regional differences
There are equivalents of Ded Moroz and Snegurochka all over the former USSR, as well as the countries once in the Eastern bloc and in the former Yugoslavia. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, some of these countries made efforts to move away from Soviet and Russian heritage toward their own ancient traditions.
= Armenia =
The Armenian name for Ded Moroz is Dzmer Pap ({{Langx|hy|Ձմեռ Պապ}}), literally Grandfather Winter. His loyal granddaughter Dzyunanushik ({{Langx|hy|Ձյունանուշիկ}}), whose name means Snow Sweetie, or Snow Anush (a popular Armenian female name), is another counterpart of Snegurochka. The tradition was set throughout the times of the Russian Empire after the Russo-Persian War (1826–1828), when Eastern Armenia was joined to Russia according to the 1828 Treaty of Turkmenchay.{{cite book |last=Dowling |first=Timothy C. |year=2014 |title=Russia at War: From the Mongol Conquest to Afghanistan, Chechnya, and Beyond |publisher=ABC-CLIO |page=728ff |isbn=978-1-59884-948-6}}
For almost 160 years of influence Dzmer Pap and Dzyunanushik have hardly changed their appearance or behavior: they come in red, blue or white winter fur coats and, bringing presents to children, expect them to sing songs or recite poems. They are parts of New Year and Epiphany{{verify inline|reason=Previously said Christmas while linking to article on Epiphany. Which is it? They are completely different events|date=July 2024}} matinées and shows in Armenia. In recent decades well-off parents have developed a tradition to invite Dzmer Pap and Dzyunanushik to their children.
File:Stamps of Moldova 002.jpg stamp featuring Ded Moroz]]
=Azerbaijan=
In Azerbaijan, Ded Moroz is known as Şaxta Baba and Snegurochka as Qar Qızı, with whom Şaxta Baba brings gifts to children at New Year's Eve. Every December, actors playing Şaxta Baba and Qar Qızı stand next to a Christmas tree (Azerbaijani: Yolka or Yeni il ağacı) at Baku Boulevard and other attractions in Baku, giving away presents to and taking pictures with children. Since 2014 however, every actor needs a license costing up to $75.{{Cite web |last=modern.az |title="Bulvarda Şaxta baba və Qar qız olmaq istəyən lisenziya almalıdır" - Bulvar İdarəsi |url=https://modern.az/news/68238/ |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=modern.az |language=az-AZ}}
=Belarus=
Ded Moroz is {{lang|be-Latn|Dzied Maroz}} ({{langx|be|Дзед Мароз}}) in the Belarusian language. He is not a historical folkloric Belarusian character,{{cite web|url=http://www.usefulref.com/referencetopics/Christmas/Dzied_Maroz.html |title=Dzied Maroz |access-date=26 November 2010 |publisher=On-Line Reference and Information |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717180358/http://www.usefulref.com/referencetopics/Christmas/Dzied_Maroz.html |archive-date=17 July 2011 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.insego.com/christmas-and-new-year-in-belarus/ |title=Christmas and New Year in Belarus |date=13 December 2007 |access-date=26 November 2010 |publisher=Office for a Democratic Belarus |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123213855/http://democraticbelarus.eu/node/3060 |archive-date=23 November 2010 }} but was a replacement for Saint Nicholas, known locally as {{lang|be-Latn|Śviaty Mikałaj}}, whom Soviet authorities disapproved of because of his Christian origin.
The official residence of {{lang|be-Latn|Dzied Maroz}} in Belarus is declared to be in the Białowieża Forest.[https://pda.ekskursii.by/by/?Dostoprimechatelnosti_Belarusi=17856_Pomeste_Belorusskogo_Deda_Moroza Маёнтак Беларускага Дзеда Мароза]
=Bulgaria=
The Bulgarian name of Santa Claus is {{langx|bg|label=none|Дядо Коледа|translit=Dyado Koleda}} (Grandfather Koleda), with {{langx|bg|label=none|Дядо Мраз|translit=Dyado Mraz}} ("Grandfather Frost") being a similar Russian-imported character lacking the Christian connotations and thus popular during Communist rule. However, he has been largely forgotten since 1989, when {{lang|bg-Latn|Dyado Koleda}} again returned as the more popular figure.{{cite web
| url=http://sofiaecho.com/2005/12/26/648046_traditions-old-and-new-from-father-frost-to-father-christmas
| title=Traditions old and new: From Father Frost to Father Christmas |date=26 December 2005 |first=Petar |last=Kostadinov
| access-date=26 November 2010
| work=The Sofia Echo
| archive-date=21 April 2010
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100421082151/http://sofiaecho.com/2005/12/26/648046_traditions-old-and-new-from-father-frost-to-father-christmas
| url-status=dead
}}File:Ded moroz belarus 1.jpg|218x218px]]
=Former Yugoslavia=
In socialist Yugoslavia (i.e. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia) the character who was said to bring gifts to children was called "Grandfather Frost" ({{langx|bs|Djeda Mraz}}; {{langx|hr|Djed Mraz}}; {{langx|mk|Дедо Мраз|Dedo Mraz}}; {{langx|sr|Деда Мраз|Deda Mraz}}; {{langx|sl|Dedek Mraz}}). He was said to bring gifts for the New Year because public celebration of Christmas was frowned upon during communism.{{cite web
| url=http://globalgeopolitics.net/wordpress/2009/05/11/balkans-religion-makes-a-worrying-call
| title=BALKANS: Religion Makes a Worrying Call |date=11 May 2009
| access-date=26 November 2010
| publisher=Global Geopoltics Net
| archive-date=23 July 2011
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723140145/http://globalgeopolitics.net/wordpress/2009/05/11/balkans-religion-makes-a-worrying-call/
| url-status=dead
}}{{cite journal |last=Klobčar |first=Marija |year=2009 |title=Christmas Songs and Constructing Identities |journal=Traditiones |volume=38 |issue=1 |pages=173–188|doi=10.3986/Traditio2009380112 }}{{cite book |last1=Tivodar |first1=Blanka |first2=Andreja |last2=Vezovnik |year=2010 |chapter=Cooking in Socialist Slovenia: Housewives on the Road from a Bright Future to an Idyllic Past |editor1-first=Breda |editor1-last=Luthar |editor2-first=Maruša |editor2-last=Pušnik |title=Remembering Utopia: The Culture of Everyday Life in Socialist Yugoslavia |location=Washington, DC |publisher=New Academia |page=396}}
==Croatia==
In Croatia, after the breakup of Yugoslavia, {{lang|hr|Djed Mraz}} was promulgated by Christian democratic right-wing media as an example of a "communist creation", therefore {{lang|hr|Djed Božićnjak}} (literally: "Grandfather Christmas") was introduced in its stead. Attempts were made in the mass media and advertising to replace {{lang|hr|Djed Mraz}} with {{lang|hr|Djed Božićnjak}}, despite the two characters not being associated with the same holiday. After 1999 the names of {{lang|hr|Djed Mraz}} and {{lang|hr|Djed Božićnjak}} became more or less synonymous, including in their use on public television. In some families {{lang|hr|Djed Mraz}} is still said to bring gifts at New Year.{{cite web
| url=http://goeasteurope.about.com/od/croatia/a/Santa-Claus-In-Croatia.htm
| title=Santa Claus in Croatia: The Croatian Santa Claus Tradition |first=Kerry |last=Kubilius
| access-date=26 November 2010
| website=About.com
| archive-date=26 December 2010
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226205928/http://goeasteurope.about.com/od/croatia/a/Santa-Claus-In-Croatia.htm
| url-status=dead
}} In Croatia, children also get presents on 6 December. Due to the historical influence of Austrian culture in parts of Croatia, presents are also said to be brought by a traditional figure called {{lang|hr|Sveti Nikola}} (Saint Nicholas) who closely resembles {{lang|hr|Djed Mraz}} or {{lang|hr|Djed Božićnjak}}, except for the fact that he is accompanied by Krampus who takes misbehaving children away, another character from Central European folklore.{{cite web
| url=http://goeasteurope.about.com/od/bulgariaandthebalkans/a/christmastraditionscroatia.htm
| title=Croatia Christmas Traditions: Christmas in Croatia |first=Kerry |last=Kubilius
| access-date=26 November 2010
| website=About.com
| archive-date=7 July 2011
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707075024/http://goeasteurope.about.com/od/bulgariaandthebalkans/a/christmastraditionscroatia.htm
| url-status=dead
}} In some religious families, little Jesus ({{lang|hr|Isusek, Mali Isus}}, {{lang|de|Kriskindl}}) is said to brings gifts at Christmas instead of {{lang|hr|Djed Božićnjak}}. Also, in some parts of Dalmatia the gifts are brought by Saint Lucy ({{lang|hr|Sveta Lucija}}).
==Slovenia==
In Slovenia, the name {{lang|ru|Ded Moroz}} was translated from Russian as {{lang|sl|Dedek Mraz}} (literally, "Grandpa Frost"). {{lang|sl|Dedek Mraz}} is depicted as a slim man wearing a grey leather coat, which has fur inside and is decorated outside, and a round dormouse fur cap. This version of the character is based on traditional imagery, especially as depicted by Maksim Gaspari in images commissioned in 1952.{{cite web |url=http://www.24ur.com/novice/slovenija/kot-zadnji-od-decembrskih-obdarovalcev-je-tu-dedek-mraz.html |title=Kot zadnji od decembrskih obdarovalcev je tu dedek Mraz |trans-title=Dedek Mraz is here as the last of December's gift givers |language=sl |website=24ur.com |date=28 December 2014 }} Although the name was translated literally from the Soviet figure, other names for the character were also considered: {{lang|sl|Sneženi mož}} ("the Snow Man") and {{lang|sl|oca Triglav}} ("Daddy Triglav"). A female figure named {{lang|sl|babica Zima}} (Grandma Winter) was also proposed. Initially he was said to live in Siberia, but with the Informbiro crisis and the schism between Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union his home was relocated to Mt. Triglav, Slovenia's (and also Yugoslavia's) highest peak. Public processions featuring the character began in Ljubljana in 1953. The notion of Grandpa Frost was ideologically useful because it served to reorient the December/January holidays away from religion (Saint Nicholas Day and Christmas) and towards the secular New Year. After the ousting of Communism at the beginning of the 1990s, two other "good old men" (as they are currently styled in Slovenian) reappeared in public: {{lang|sl|Miklavž}} ("Saint Nicholas") is said to bring presents on 6 December, and {{lang|sl|Božiček}} ("Christmas man"; usually depicted as Santa Claus) on Christmas Eve. St. Nicholas has had a strong traditional presence in Slovenian ethnic territory and his feast day remained celebrated in family circles throughout the Communist period. Until the late 1940s it was also said in some areas of Slovenia that {{lang|de|Christkind}} (called {{lang|sl|Jezušček}} ("little Jesus") or {{lang|sl|Božiček}}) brought gifts on Christmas Eve. Slovenian families have different preferences regarding their gift-giver of choice, according to political or religious persuasion. Slovenian popular culture depicts Grandpa Frost, Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus as friends{{cite web|url=http://dedekmraz.talija.com/|title=Dobri možje|website=dedekmraz.talija.com|access-date=2 April 2018|archive-date=6 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206012703/http://dedekmraz.talija.com/|url-status=dead}} and has also started blending attributes of the characters, for example, mention of Santa's reindeer is sometimes mingled into the Grandpa Frost narrative at public appearances. Due to his non-religious character and strong institutionalization, Grandpa Frost continues to retain a public presence.{{cite web
| url=http://goeasteurope.about.com/od/othercountries/a/sloveniaschristmastraditions.htm
| title=Slovenia's Christmas Traditions: Christmas in Slovenia |first=Kerry |last=Kubilius
| access-date=26 November 2010
| website=About.com
| archive-date=3 December 2011
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203114412/http://goeasteurope.about.com/od/othercountries/a/sloveniaschristmastraditions.htm
| url-status=dead
}}
=Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan=
{{lang|kk-Latn|Ayaz Ata}} is the Kazakh and Kyrgyz name for Ded Moroz.
= Mongolia =
Since the introduction and familiarization of Russian culture during the socialist era, Mongolia has been celebrating the New Year's festivities as a formal holiday. {{langx|mn|label=none|Өвлийн өвгөн|Övliin Övgön}} (Grandfather Winter) is the Mongolian equivalent of Ded Moroz, who brings children and adult alike gifts on New Year's Eve.{{Cite web|url=http://mongolnews.mn/1fa6|title=Нэр нэгтийн чих нэг: ӨВЛИЙН ӨВГӨН (Цан хүүрэгтэй зочид)|website=mongolnews.mn|language=mn|access-date=11 December 2019|archive-date=11 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211210407/http://mongolnews.mn/1fa6|url-status=dead}}
=Romania=
{{See also|Moș Gerilă}}
In 1948, after the Communists gained power in Romania, it was decided that Christmas should not be celebrated. 25 and 26 December became working days and no official celebrations were to be held. As a replacement for {{lang|ro|Moş Crăciun}} (Father Christmas), a new character was introduced, {{lang|ro|Moş Gerilă}} (literally "Old Man Frosty", a Romanian language adaptation of the Russian Ded Moroz).{{Cite web |url=http://www.romanialibera.ro/exclusiv-rl/documentar/povestea-impostorului-mos-gerila-248844.html |title=Povestea impostorului Moş Gerilă |website=Romania Libera |access-date=1 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107212946/http://www.romanialibera.ro/exclusiv-rl/documentar/povestea-impostorului-mos-gerila-248844.html |archive-date=7 January 2012 |url-status=dead }} He was said to bring gifts to children on 31 December.
Officially, the New Year's Day celebrations began on 30 December, which was named the Day of the Republic, since it was the day when King Mihai I of Romania abdicated in 1947.
After the Romanian Revolution of 1989, {{lang|ro|Moş Gerilă}} lost his influence, being replaced by {{lang|ro|Moş Crăciun}}.{{cite web |language=ro |url=http://stiri.rol.ro/stiri/2005/12/amintiri_cu_mos_gerila.htm |title=Amintiri cu Moş Gerilă |trans-title=Memories with Moş Gerilă |website=Evenimentul Zilei |date=24 December 2005}}{{dead link|date=July 2024}}{{cite web
| url=http://www.europeanyouthvoice.de/2006/12/euronews-12-2006-the-scent-of-christmas-in-romania/
| title=The Scent of Christmas in Romania |date=December 2006 |first=Magdalena |last=Chitic
| access-date=26 November 2010
| publisher=European Youth Voice
| archive-date=15 March 2012
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315102512/http://www.europeanyouthvoice.de/2006/12/euronews-12-2006-the-scent-of-christmas-in-romania/
| url-status=dead
=Sakha Republic=
Chyskhaan ({{Langx|sah|Чысхаан|translit=Çısxân}}) is known as the master of cold, accompanied by the Yakut version of Snegurochka, Kharchaana ({{Langx|sah|Харчаана|translit=Xarçâna}}). He is very similar to Ded Moroz, however a more "East Asian" version of him.Как зовут Деда Мороза в разных странах? [http://perevods.com.ua/katalog/?adv_id=61 Якутии – Чисхан] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307042600/http://perevods.com.ua/katalog/?adv_id=61 |date=2016-03-07 }}Стрела; Дед Мороз и все-все-все [https://archive.today/20131014123303/http://www.gazetastrela.ru/enter/indexx.php?id=10559&n=792&s=1&i=3&page=1 Якутия - Чисхан]
=Tajikistan=
In Tajikistan the tradition of Ded Moroz has continued. In Tajik, Ded Moroz is known as {{lang|tg-Latn|Boboi Barfi}} ("Grandfather Snow"), and Snegurochka is called {{lang|tg-Latn|Barfak}} ("Snowball").
In 2012, a young man dressed as Ded Moroz was stabbed to death in Dushanbe by a crowd shouting "You infidel!". The murder was motivated by religious hatred, according to the Tajik police.{{cite news |title='Father Christmas' stabbed to death in Tajikistan |author=Roman Kozhevnikov |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/tajikistan-fatherchristmas/father-christmas-stabbed-to-death-in-tajikistan-idINDEE80202N20120103/|work=Reuters |date=3 January 2012}}
On 11 December 2013, Saidali Siddiqov, the first deputy head of the Committee for TV and Radio-broadcasting under the Government of Tajikistan, announced in an interview that "Father Frost, his maiden sidekick {{lang|ru-Latn|italic=no|Snegurochka}} (Maiden Snow), and New Year's tree will not appear on the state television this year, because these personages and attributes bear no direct relation to our national traditions, though there is no harm in them".{{cite news |title=Tajik official confirms information about banning Father Frost from New Year's broadcasts |url=http://news.tj/en/news/tajik-official-confirms-information-about-banning-father-frost-new-year-s-broadcasts |newspaper=Asia-Plus |date=11 December 2013 |access-date=12 December 2013 |archive-date=13 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213034101/http://news.tj/en/news/tajik-official-confirms-information-about-banning-father-frost-new-year-s-broadcasts |url-status=dead }} However next day this was denounced, and planned celebrations did include these despite objections of some religious figures.{{cite news |url=http://ria.ru/world/20131217/984738389.html |script-title=ru:В Таджикистане решили не запрещать Деда Мороза и Снегурочку |language=ru |trans-title=Tajikistan decides not to ban Father Frost and Snow Maiden |date=17 December 2013 |website=РИА Новости |access-date=3 January 2016}}
=Ukraine=
File:Дід мороз Євген Фролович Плаксін.jpg
Since the breakup of the Soviet Union, and especially in recent years, there has been a shift from Ded Moroz ({{langx|uk|Дід Мороз}}), who came to be associated with the Soviet-era heritage, to Saint Nicholas ({{langx|uk|Святий Миколай|Sviatyi Mykolai}}), who is more popular in Western Ukraine.{{cite news |url= http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/kiev-brings-back-orthodox-santa-claus-instead-of-soviet-era-father-frost/511488.html |archive-url= http://web.archive.org/web/20141120000000/www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/kiev-brings-back-orthodox-santa-claus-instead-of-soviet-era-father-frost/511488.html |url-status= dead |archive-date=2014-11-20 |title= Kiev Brings Back Orthodox Santa Claus Instead of Soviet-Era Father Frost |work= The Moscow Times |date= 20 November 2014 }} With the onset of the Russian invasion there were rumors that Ded Moroz imagery was being discouraged by the authorities; however, the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture had denied this.{{cite news |url=https://comments.ua/society/604910-deda-moroza-snegurochku-ukraine.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424234756/https://comments.ua/society/604910-deda-moroza-snegurochku-ukraine.html |archive-date=2019-04-24 |script-title=ru:Деда Мороза и Снегурочку в Украине никто не запрещал – Минкульт |language=ru |trans-title=Nobody banned Father Frost and the Snow Maiden in Ukraine – Ministry of Culture |website=Комментарии |date=13 December 2017 |first=Vitaly |last=Voychuk |access-date=2 July 2024}}
=Uzbekistan=
In 2012 it was reported that Uzbekistan, a largely Muslim nation, moved away from celebrating Christmas. While the celebration of the New Year still remains a notable family event, it is no longer celebrated on a wide national scale, as it was during the times of the Soviet Union, and Ded Moroz, while not being banned, was removed from Uzbek TV channels. This decision was met with mixed reception. Some say that traditions are not for the government to decide upon, whereas more orthodox Muslims want the New Year and Ded Moroz banned altogether, as was done with Valentine's Day.{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/20701831|title= Father Christmas off air in Uzbekistan|work= BBC News|date= 24 December 2012 }}
Notes
{{notelist}}
See also
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
- {{annotated link|List of Christmas and winter gift-bringers by country}}
- {{annotated link|Christmas traditions#Eastern Europe|Christmas in Eastern Europe}}
- {{annotated link|Father Christmas}}
- {{annotated link|Sinterklaas}}
- {{annotated link|Jack Frost}}
- {{annotated link|Old Man Winter}}
- {{annotated link|Moș Gerilă}}
- {{annotated link|Noel Baba}}
- {{annotated link|Snegurochka}}
{{div col end}}
References
{{reflist|33em}}
External links
{{wiktionary}}
{{Commons category|Ded Moroz}}
- [http://www.thespektator.co.uk/issue_7.html "Just Don't Call Me Santa!"—A history of Ded Maroz in English] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229230534/http://www.thespektator.co.uk/issue_7.html |date=29 December 2014 }}
- [http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/traditions/642/ "Father Frost, the Red Nose" on Russia Info-Centre]
- [http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/12/15/reveling_in_russian_santas_fairytale_home05209.html Reveling in Russian Santa’s fairytale home] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712044329/http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/12/15/reveling_in_russian_santas_fairytale_home05209.html |date=12 July 2012 }}
- [http://www.idedmoroz.com Home page all of the Ded's Moroz] {{in lang|ru}}
- [http://www.dmglonass.ru GLONASS Tracks Ded Moroz] {{in lang|ru}}
- [http://www.simvolika.org/mars_002.htm Coat of arms of Ded Moroz] {{in lang|ru}}
{{Christmas}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Christmas gift-bringers
Category:New Year celebrations
Category:Russian folklore characters
Category:Belarusian traditions
Category:Slavic legendary creatures