Santa Claus is the favorite of all children and many adults. This is not only a fabulous, but already a real character in almost every country, which has its own residences. Every year not only children, but also adults strive to get to it. Many people ask: “What is the name of the Belarusian Santa Claus?”. His name is Zyuza. It will be discussed in this article.
How did he appear?
The story of the appearance of Santa Claus has its origins for a long time. According to one version, in the third century a boy Nikolai (Ugodnik) was born, who later became a bishop. As an adult, he always helped children and gave them gifts.
Over time, the image of the good bishop began to be associated with the New Year and Christmas holidays. He began to be considered the patron saint of children. Centuries passed, and his image was replenished with many additions. Gradually, Nikolai Ugodnik began to be called nothing more than Santa Claus.
He is in almost every country. They only call it different. He is also distinguished by his attire. The history of the Belarusian Santa Claus dates back to 2002. It was then that President Lukashenko decided to acquire his own Santa Claus and “settle” him in Belovezhskaya Pushcha. The construction of the Zyuzi residence has begun.
Where does Belarusian Santa Claus live?
The estate of Belarusian Santa Claus was built in 2003. It is located in a national park in Belovezhskaya Pushcha. This is a cultural and tourist complex. It is called the residence (or estate) of Belarusian Santa Claus.
The complex includes not only the house where the legendary fairy-tale character lives. It has hotels with rooms and separate houses for tourists, ecological trails, and entertainment programs are held. And not only in the New Year, but also at any time of the year. True, his estate itself was open only during the New Year and Christmas holidays.
What is the name of Santa Claus in Belarus?
Many are interested in: since a fairy-tale character in each country is called differently, then what is the name of the Belarusian Santa Claus? And the answer will be simple: Zyuza. This is a fellow of the Russian fairy grandfather. He is a wizard. Protects children, gives them gifts and fulfills dreams. As expected, he has a granddaughter Snegurochka. And they live on their estate in Belovezhskaya Pushcha.
Estate of Belarusian Santa Claus
Santa Claus in Belarusian - Dzed Maroz. His possessions are in the territory of the former bison nursery. Previously, they fed there in winter. The area of the former nursery, and now - the possessions of Santa Claus - 15 hectares.
In the residence is his estate with a throne room. In the center stands a carved wooden throne. It is made from several types of wood at once. On the top of the back are two martens. The armrests are made in the form of horse heads.
On the ground floor there is a study. There, Belarusian Santa Claus dries boots by the fire. On the second - a bedroom with a large carved bed and a stack of pillows. There is also a small balcony. Belarusian magician meets guests on the porch of his estate with the Snow Maiden.
How is Zyuza dressed?
Zyuzya - Belarusian Santa Claus. He dresses, like his Russian brother. In winter - in a red coat and boots. But in the summer his attire is different. Zyuzya puts on a shirt embroidered with Belarusian ornament. On his head is a straw hat. Zyuza carries the magic staff constantly with him, at any time of the year, and does not let go of his hands.
Where does the Snow Maiden live?
The house of the Snow Maiden is located next to the estate of Santa Claus, a little to the side. It is one story. It has a "skarnbnitsa". This is a repository of children's gifts, letters, photographs, drawings and crafts that were sent to Santa Claus. His museum is located in the house of the Snow Maiden. It contains a lot of antique items.
Sights of the residence
Only Belarusian Santa Claus could boast the largest Christmas tree that grew on the territory of his estate. It was the highest spruce in all of Europe. Her age is 120 years. According to some sources, even 150. This spruce was the main attraction in the residence for the New Year and Christmas holidays.
But in 2014 it had to be cut down due to drying out. Previously, it was decorated with 5,000 light bulbs, and the height of the tree was 40 m. No less chic forest coniferous beauties grow nearby, they saw a worthy replacement for sawn spruce.
Zyuzya - Belarusian Santa Claus, guarded by two knights made of wood at the entrance. Their names are Vyaz Vyazovich and Oak Dubovich. Near the main spruce are compositions and sculptural groups created based on the famous fairy tales about Snow White with the Dwarves and 12 months. Moreover, each of the latter depicts a certain sign of the horoscope. There is a legend that when people touch their month, go around it and make a wish in a whisper, it will certainly come true.
The residence of the Belarusian Santa Claus is full of surprises. There is a magic well in it. At the bottom of it lie fragments of a mirror that Snow-white's stepmother smashed. If a person who has not done anything wrong in his life comes up, will bow down and ask for water to drink, then the fragments of a mirror will join at the bottom. It will pop up and will answer the questions asked to it. Water from simple will become “alive” and heal any, even the most complex and painful wound.
They say that it was in this well that the talking Pike lived, which Emely once caught. In honor of these fairy-tale heroes, there is a sculpture nearby, which depicts them. There are many other objects created from fairy tales. For example, a small pond. The frog princess lives in it. She is waiting for her prince. But married men and even grooms cannot be approached by this pond, otherwise they can turn green.
Belarusian Santa Claus, like his brothers, is a magician. Accordingly, on its territory there are many fairy-tale characters and amazing inanimate objects. For example, a small windmill. Thanks to her, you can get rid of the mistakes that have been made in life. If they are small, then at the base of the mill you need to rub small pebbles. And if large, then choose the largest cobblestones. If a person has broken firewood in his life, then in this case the mill must be hugged.
Zyuzya - Belarusian Santa Claus, who, like his brothers in other countries, has his own residence. It is decorated with numerous fabulous sculptures. There is Pinocchio, Pike and many other characters. The path that leads to the magical lake, along the entire length is accompanied by benches, next to which are small figures of gnomes. They help guests not to get lost in the forest more often, find edible mushrooms, suggest which ones are false and poisonous.
On the territory of the residence there are trading shops where you can buy souvenirs or gifts to relatives, friends and relatives. There are also entertainment complexes. Garlands and multi-colored light bulbs hang on the trees. They light up at night and sparkle like jewels, creating the feeling that those present are in a fairy tale.
Having visited the Belarusian Zyuzyou, you can not only enjoy the fairy tale, but also try traditional cuisine. It is proposed to visit the workshop of Winter, where you can independently make jewelry not only for yourself, but also for your loved ones. For example, a charm doll. Or look into the Museum of Ice Life.
For vacationers throughout the residence of the Belarusian Zyuzi there are arbors and terraces, tables and benches. In the summer they save from the sun, being under the canopy of trees. Interesting and surprising is the ceremony of passing through the border of the New Year.
When can I visit Belarusian Zyuzyu?
Zyuzi's residence is open all year round, seven days a week. It was opened at the same time that the National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha" was open - from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. There are children and adult entrance tickets. The first two times cheaper.
How to get there
The address of the Belarusian Santa Claus is as follows: Belovezhskaya Pushcha, the residence of Zyuzi. Getting to her is easy. First you need to get to the village of Kamenoki. On its territory is the central entrance to the park. Then - by transport, which runs specifically for tourists.
Departure to Santa Claus in the residence occurs every time as soon as a group of 10 people is recruited. If you get on your own, then in this case you will need to spend the night in a hotel or at a camp site. Entrance to the park is possible only on tourist buses. They will not be allowed to go there by personal transport.
How to get to the residence of Santa Claus?
At the main entrance gate of the park, visitors are greeted by a storyteller Vasilisa. She will show all the sights, tell legends and interesting facts, answer all questions. He will introduce you to all the fairy-tale characters and show where and how the Belarusian Santa Claus lives with his granddaughter.
In the summer, there is no Snow Maiden in the residence - she goes to the North Pole so as not to melt. But her guest house is always open. To get to the territory of the residence of Santa Claus, which is guarded by two wooden knights at the entrance, you need to pronounce special phrases. This will help Vasilisa the storyteller.
She will conduct a tour of the possessions of Santa Claus. He will show a fabulous apiary, to which bears and elk come for honey. It is on it that in winter, Santa Claus comes to visit the kids.