A Larger Zombie

Santa’s not alone… or what New Year is like in Russia.

I didn’t know about Santa Claus when I was little. I was never told there was a man in red, flying high in the night sky, sitting in sleigh pulled by magic reigndeers. I didn’t have a chimney either.
No.
But I was told about a similar person who came every New Year to give me presents if I was good enough girl. His name in Russian is Ded Moroz.

But don’t mix his name with “Dead Morose”! The word “Ded” means “Old Man”. And “Moroz” means “Frost”. His role is to bring presents to good boys and girls. He arrives for New Year which traditionally comes before Orthodox Christmas. And this is the official Christmas in Russia. It means that all big celebrations in Russia happen for New Year.

Ded Moroz comes to many schools on the same time, what used to worry me. How did he appear in so many places on the same time?! There’s always a day each year when children gather in school around the New Year Tree and call for Ded Moroz and his granddaughter Snegurochka.

He’s on many streets and he comes to every child who waits for him.

I have no idea what exacly Ded Moroz is supposed to use as a transport or where exactly he lives. I used to believe he teleported and could appear right in front of me out of nowhere if he wanted. But I believed that no child was good enough to deserve it. Even me. -)

So, Ded Moroz is a mysterious old lonely man. His only pleasure is to make little people happy as long as they believe in him. I used to imagine that he needed a year to make enough gifts for everyone…using magic, of course: things just appeared from nowhere. Why doesn’t Santa guess to do it with his elves?

I used to believe that winter was cold because of Ded Moroz. He was the Frost and people often said “Frost is coming”. I forgave him for all the gifts I deserved.

I remember being told by someone that he’d come through the door. And only if I was asleep. I couldn’t believe he’d use a door! What’s magic for?! Anyway, once I pretended to go to bed, rested and went to the door, waiting. Nobody was coming. He never showed up. That old lonely man.

So, in Russia, New Year is always a big occasion. And it deserves a serious preparation.
By the end of December people, for some reason, suddenly realize they must buy and cook a lot of food – so much food, that shops get empty and people don’t need to leave home for weeks after the holiday. TV provides them with everything they need with a special New Year program and they stick to it with interest.
And after the 1st of January there are about 2 weeks of rest (almost everyone has a vacation). It means that there will barely be anyone working or helpful out there. Only happy celebrating people.

After midnight, during the first minutes of the New Year people go outside for fireworks, singing and screaming all night long. But the next morning you won’t see anyone walking… awake. And especially sober. The streets stay empty at least for 2 days!

But today I’m celebrating Christmas with people who’re close to me. This morning Santa left me so many sweets… even though I’m not so little. I’m big and happy.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!