Ded Moroz

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Russian Ded Moroz

In the culture of the eastern Slavs the traditional character Ded Moroz (Russian: Дед Мороз) plays a role similar to that of Santa Claus. The literal translation of the name would be Grandfather Frost, however English-speakers traditionally translate it as Father Frost.

Ded Moroz brings presents to kids, however unlike the clandestine ways of Santa Claus, he brings them in person, at the celebrations of the New Year, at New Year parties for kids by the New Year Tree. Ded Moroz is accompanied by Snegurochka (Russian: Снегурочка), or 'Snow Maiden', his granddaughter.

The traditional appearance of Ded Moroz has a close resemblance to that of Santa Claus, with his red coat, boots and long white beard. Specifically, Ded Moroz wears a heel-long red fur coat, a semi-round fur hat, and white valenki or high boots (sapogi), silver or red with silver ornament. Unlike Santa Claus, he walks with a long magical staff, doesn't say "Ho, ho, ho", and drives no reindeer.

The Väterchen Frost ("Old Father Frost") character of German folklore is also closely related to the tradition of Ded Moroz, some simularities Ded Moroz also shares with French Père Noël (Grandfather January).

The official residence of Ded Moroz in Russia is the town of Veliky Ustyug. The residence of the Belarusian Dzied Maroz is in Belavezhskaya Pushcha.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the person who brings New Year's gifts to kids of all religions is called Djeda Mraz in Bosnian, much alike Deda Mraz in Serbia.

History

His roots are in Pagan beliefs, but since 19th century under the literary influence he, together with Snegurochka "fleshed out" from a kind of a winter sprite into what he is now. The fairy tale play Snegurochka by the famous Russian playwright Alexander Ostrovsky was influential in this respect, followed by Rimsky-Korsakov's Snegurochka with libretto based on the play.

Only by the end of the 19th century Ded Moroz has won a competition of "persons" who were in charge of New Year presents: Grandfather Nicholas, Santa Claus, Ded Treskun, Morozko, simply Moroz, etc. He perfectly fits the Russian traditions, so that there was a widespread opinion that he has been known for Russians for centuries.

After the Russian Revolution, when in 1920s Bolsheviks started to wage a campaign against religion and superstitions, Ded Moroz and the New Year Tree were banned. Joseph Stalin restored the tradition in 1935. In 1937, Ded Moroz for the first time arrived to the Moscow Palace of Unions. Since this time an invitation to the New Year Tree at the Palace of Unions became a matter of honor for Soviet children. Several times the coat of Ded Moroz was changed to be not confused with Santa Claus to a long blue coat. Joseph Stalin ordered Palace of Unions' Ded Morozes to wear only blue coats.

See also

• Dziadek Mróz ( (Soviet propaganda attempts to introduce the figure in Poland)
• Moş Gerilă (in Romania)