The History of Santa Claus and Christmas

The history of Santa Claus and Christmas are inseparable with the legend in western culture. Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas is a figure who always brings Christmas joy to the children’s homes. Santa Claus will visit children’s homes every Christmas Eve by ride deer-drawn carriage. During his visit on Christmas Eve, Santa Claus will bring gifts for each of the children who behaved well.

In Holland, Santa Claus is known as Sinterklaas tradition. Every year Santa Claus came by steamboat from Spain. But the real Santa Claus, also known as St. Nicholas was born in Turkey and was buried in the city of Bari, Southern Italy. At the foot of the basilica where his relics are interred, the Dutch embassy recently organised a conference on the links between Bari and the Netherlands. Not much is known about this saintly figure, but that makes the legend all the stronger. Read more »