Figure 1.--Here is Santa Claus/St. Nick/ Grandfather Frost complete with said snow daughter and little Santa. Also for good measure a good child. |
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Christmas in Tajikistan is mostly celebrated at New Year and Christmas lore is quite a mixture od Soviet and Western lore. Tajikistan is a majority muslim nation. there is also a substantial Russian minority, many of whom are Christians. During the Soviet era both Chridstiamity and Islam were supressed. The Soviets promoted Grandfather Frost to replace St. Nicholas. As grandfather Frost was a secular figure he was embraced by atheist, Christian, and Islamic children. Since Tajikistan emerged from the Soviet Unioin as an independent stat, Grndfather Frost is incresingly being referred to as Santa Clause. He is very much alive as the bringer of presents but not on December 25. It seems here its January 1 in keeping with Soviet practices. Much is made of the New Year. Greeting cards bear New Year blessings. There is a story of Grand Father Frost coming with a Fairy to bring gifts. There is a Fir Tree decorated with lights and presents under it. Santa Claus is named as Grand Father Frost. He wears a blue Costume in some pictures and a red one in others. He has a big sack and gives
presents to children. A HBC contributor writes, "Yours truely is considered to have the statue to be this person. On 26 December, dressed in my red robe and colourful sash I visit the school. First however we are supposed to be going to the snow in the mountains to film a video of Grand Father Frost in the snow coming."
Tajikistan is a majority muslim nation. there is also a substantial Russian minority, many of whom are Christians. During the Soviet era both Chridstiamity and Islam
were supressed. The children involved are all Nationalities and include Tajik, Russian, and Turkish kids.
There is much excitement at masny schools. The pupils decorate the classrooms with traditional paper decorations which they make.
Muvch of the celebration in Tasjikistan is seculsr, but there are also religious observations as well. Celebrations are held by the Russian Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church in addition to Protestant churches. The Orthodox Church celebrates on a different date than December 25. A HBC reader describes carol service. Last year on Christmas Day Children from the Tchcovsky Music School attended the Cathelic Church as a choir and sang Christmas Carols.
The Soviets promoted Grandfather Frost to replace St. Nicholas. As grandfather Frost was a secular figure he was embraced by atheist, Christin,
and Islamic children.
Since Tajikistan emerged from the Soviet Unioin as an independent stat, Grndfather Frost is incresingly being referred to as Santa Clause. He is very much alive as the bringer of presents but not on December 25. It seems here its January 1 in keeping with Soviet practices. Much is made of the New Year. Greeting cards bear New Year blessings. There is a story of Grand Father Frost coming with a Fairy to bring gifts. There is a Fir Tree decorated with lights and presents under it. Santa Claus is named as Grand Father Frost. He wears a blue Costume in some pictures and a red one in others. He has a big sack and gives
presents to children. A HBC contributor writes, "Yours truely is considered to have the statue to be this person. On 26 December, dressed in my red robe and colourful sash I visit the school. First however we are supposed to be going to the snow in the mountains to film a video of Grand Father Frost in the snow coming."
Santa Claus is now the more popular name given to Gandfather Frost. There are several differences betwen Santa in Tajikistan tha in america which are interesting to note. He is an imortant figure in the celebration of the New Year. He has a big red sack and a large staff. His special night is December 31 when he comes to children on New Years Eve. He has a family. A younger son which is a spitting image of himself and an older snow daughter. His children help him bring gifts to those children who have been good. His second duty on New Years Eve is to light the New Year tree at Midnight and so light up the New Year. Santa does this by pointing his staff at the tree and then it lights. He then distributes the toys and presents . His son and daughter, rather than elves, help him in this task.
There was a celevration in 2002 at the Opera House there with a Father Christmas story. It started with children preparing the Christmas tree for New Years Eve. A visitor
who was lord of misrule spoilt the tree and gave bad gifts to the children who he and his cruel wife then kidnapped. With the help of an adult, I think the children's tutor they escaped. It was a race against time to reach Grandfather Frost in the North Pole and tell him about the ruined New Year Eve activities. The children reach him and explain their plight. Grandfather Frost, his snow daughter and the children reach Dushanbe with
only minutes to spare but Grandfather Frost manage to right everything. He pointed his staff at the Christmas Tree and low his magic staff lit the tree. Thus were the children able to enjoy the New Year Eve activities.
There is something big being prepared. Large fir Tree erected otside City Hall opposite King Somoni Statue A platform looking like a stage has also been erected. It is possible there is going to be a New Years Day Parade. There was 2 years ago. Shop Keepers are painting there windows with Santa Slaus and other 'Christmas " scenes.
Santa Claus images are everywhere. A life size one stands outside a flower shop. There are real fir trees decorated with lights and plastic ones. 'Christmas tree' decorations are being sold on openly in the market and shops. We went to the Opera House to film my Santa Claus arrival. Several passers by brought their children over to meet Santa Claus.
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