Father Frost's Birthday

Source: http://www.google.com/logos/fatherfrost09.gif

In some Slavic cultures, 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, although the name is often translated as Father Frost. Ded Moroz brings presents to children. However, unlike the secretive ways of Santa Claus, he often brings them in person, at the celebrations of the New Year, at New Year parties for kids by the New Year Tree.

The "in-person" gifts usually occur at organized celebrations at kindergartens, schools, circus performances around New Year time where the gifts can be "standardized." Various agencies provide Ded Moroz visits to families and offices. In such cases specific gifts can be chosen for particular members at the parties. The clandestine operations of placing the gifts under the New Year tree still occur when a Ded Moroz visit is not arranged for some reason.

Ded Moroz is commonly accompanied by Snegurochka (Russian: Снегурочка), or 'Snow Maiden,' his granddaughter. She is a unique attribute of the image of Father Frost – none of his foreign colleagues has a similar companion.

The traditional appearance of Ded Moroz has a resemblance to that of Santa Claus, with his coat, boots and long white beard. Specifically, Ded Moroz wears a heel-long 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, does not say "Ho, ho, ho," and drives no reindeer but a troika or just walks.

The official residence of Ded Moroz in Russia is the town of Veliky Ustyug. The residence of the Belarusian Ded Moroz (Dzied Maroz in Belarusian) is in Belavezhskaya Pushcha. [Read more on Wikipedia]