Residence of the Finnish Ded Moroz – Joulupukki
Ded Moroz – Veliky Ustyug (Russia)
The main residence of the Russian Ded Moroz is located near Veliky Ustyug. Letters to the grandfather can be sent to: 162390, Russia, Vologda Region, Veliky Ustyug, Ded Moroz Post Office. Although in reality only the throne hall of Ded Moroz is in Veliky Ustyug, he lives 12 km from this city. On the estate grounds, besides the carved mansion and the fairy-tale trail, there is a café, a hotel with 48 beds, wooden cottages, an ice rink, shops, and even an apiary.
Santa Claus – Alaska (USA)
In English-speaking countries, Ded Moroz is associated not with the New Year but with Christmas, and his name is Santa Claus. Santa Claus lives in Alaska in a modest two-story house that would hardly be taken for a "magical" place if not for the corresponding sign. The town where Santa Claus settled is called North Pole, created for commercial purposes, with about 2,000 residents. They say Christmas is celebrated every day in Santa's house.
Joulupukki – Rovaniemi (Finland)
One of the most famous residences is located near Rovaniemi, and it belongs not to Santa Claus, as many think, but to Joulupukki, the Finnish Christmas wizard. Joulupukki Village is situated in Lapland, inside the Arctic Circle, whose line runs directly under the main office house. Joulupukki Village was opened in the 1950s, and the first tourist is considered to be Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Zyuzya – Belovezhskaya Pushcha (Belarus)
The most related and close to us Ded Moroz lives in Belarus, called Zyuzya or Dzied Maroz. Zyuzya's residence is in Belovezhskaya Pushcha, opened in 2003 and has been working year-round ever since. It is located directly in the primeval forest, home to bison, roe deer, deer, and bears. At the estate, visitors can learn about national traditions, applied arts, and cuisine.
Père Noël – Libourne or Strasbourg (France)
The French Ded Moroz – Père Noël – lives in the town of Libourne near Bordeaux. However, it is believed that Père Noël was born in Strasbourg, where one of the most beautiful Christmas markets not only in France but in all of Europe opens every year, so many think Père Noël lives there. Letters for him are sent to Libourne, where the secretariat of Père Noël opens in the second half of November.
Alina ZVENIGORODTSEVA.
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