Meet Russia's Antidote To Santa

Father Frost Looks Like Santa, But What About The Elves And Reindeer?

(CBS)  What’s the holiday season like in Moscow?

There’s traffic…consumerism and… Ded Moroz.

Ded Moroz is Russia’s Father Frost, who brings presents on New Year’s Eve. He looks a lot like his Western counterpart, minus the elves and reindeer - but the Russian government is serious about defending his turf, reports CBS News' Dave Grout in Moscow.

So serious that every December there’s a three-week course called the Moscow School of Ded Moroz, which aims to establish norms for his role in the New Year holiday. It’s offered for free at a government funded youth center. And who are the students?

They’re mostly Moscow school teachers, raising their teaching qualifications and getting a certificate of professional achievement at the end.

Alexander Frolov is the director of the program. He’s part history professor, part acting coach. So besides improving everyone’s presentation skills, he also makes sure his class understands the story behind the myth.

"Ded Moroz is the wizard of New Year’s" Frolov says. “His origins predate Christianity, as the pagan god of winter.”

This might explain why Russian children are expected to perform for him - a poem, a song, even a play -- so the big guy in charge of the cold weather stays in good spirits. In turn, Ded Moroz entertains them with riddles, stories, and of course presents.

So a visit from Ded Moroz is a big deal, and Alexander Mokryshev wants to get it right.

“I still feel goose bumps every time I’m about to appear as Ded Moroz.” he says. “It’s a huge responsibility.”

New Year’s is Russia’s most important holiday, and like most holidays in Russia, it’s still celebrated under the watchful eye of the State.

In the early years of communism, Ded Moroz was banned - considered a bourgeois western influence.

Brought back by Stalin in the 1930s, Ded Moroz is once again the undisputed symbol of the Russian new year, although some Russians feel he’s under attack again.

It could be new chapter in the Cold War. . .

Several Russian Web sites claim that Santa Claus is out to destroy Slavic culture. The authors are angered by imported toys marked Ded Moroz which actually depict Santa Claus, and call on Russians to engage in mild civil disobedience by defacing the label.

Why the backlash? Throughout history, Russia has both absorbed and rejected Western ideas. After decades of isolation, Russia was bombarded in the 1990’s with Western culture. Nowadays society is seeking its own identity, turning to strong paternal images -- father figures like Peter the Great, President Putin, and the founder of Moscow, Yury Dolgorukii appearing this holiday season as Ded Moroz.

Despite the male domination, there’s always a lead female role at the Russian New Year -- Snegurochka, granddaughter and traveling companion to Ded Moroz. Her character is uniquely Russian, so the school wants to make sure Snegurochka is played correctly.

When the class is over, there is a written as well as a practical exam. Then, they will put their new skills to work, and hundreds of Russian kids will get their holiday cheer courtesy of a government-certified Father Frost.

[DaveGress]

Looks like singinrick is one of these people that would KILL in the name of god. How very muslim of you singinrick.

[motherhen11]

I can''t believe in this Father Frost character. If I''m to believe in Jesus, Easter Bunny, Joseph, Mary, and Santa Claus, I don''t have any room left for more imaginary friends at the dinner table.

[rikedoid]

Hmmm, religion, politics, consumerism and "us-and-them" open for discussion. How could we possibly go wrong there?

[DaveGress]

psy_war - very funny! ty.

[zootallures2]

"Ded Moroz is the wizard of New Year%u2019s" Frolov says. %u201CHis origins predate Christianity, as the pagan god of winter.%u201D

predate Christianity????? Santa is not a Prophet, so what does that have to do with it?

You know if you move the ''n'' down you get Satan. And when the end comes the sun will flash red and blue. So, I really fail to see how either of you think you are escaping God''s machinery here. You can''t, he''s every where. You are supposed to be good because it rewards everyone else, not because society will reward you. Or some satanic figure.

[antoniof123]

Here we go again with cold war propaganda. We really had enough of it back in the 60''s why bring it back. What is wrong with some people. Its there Christmas and New Years leave them alone.

[usayesterday]

Just give me a Strong Constitution, Rule of Law, and Individual Freedom and Liberty.

Posted by veteran71 at 12:07 PM : Dec 25, 2007
...........

My pessimism, combined with the actions of W and his minions... leads me to believe that many Americans will be wishing for all of the above (written by Vetran71), come Christmas 2008.

(Especially if the Democrats sweep the elections in November).

[j62kd4b]

There''s nothing new or wrong with Russia''s Father Frost - it just doesn''t CREATE FOR CORPORATE GREED!
The Idea of a portly, generous gentleman has been a European Custom for CENTURIES (replacing Pagan festivities from 700A.D.); Sweden has Santa Lucia, a blond woman angel that bears candles in her hair and gives to the poor; Scandinavian countries even have an ELF - who kids send letters hinting at gifts they would like & promising to be "good"!
It was Santa Claus (U.S.) that introduced GREED & GLUTTONY into the idea that originated with St. Nick, Father Christmas, Russians & Europeans in 1500 had a Russian Monk - Guillaime - that preceeded Macy & Gimbels Santa Claus.
It''s a problem that developed when Christians started BEGGING GOD TO GIVE THEM GIFTS OF LOVE, HEALTH, REMISSION FROM SINS if they promised crusades, holy wars, etc!
Never ask what your God or Country CAN DO FOR YOU - DO WHAT YOU CAN FOR YOUR GOD OR COUNTRY!
21st century "christians" have reversed all that was good from our ancestors - and WANT EVERYTHING FOR THEMSELVES! No wonder "Scrooge" was a cynic!

[gkc99]

Ded Moroz is the mythical figure that Santa Claus was stolen from by the Christians. Nicolas was just some rich guy that tossed bags of money to some poor women, nothing about snow, fur-lined union suits, or whatever. And neither has a *** thing to do with Jesus, the alleged reason for the season. Of course, Dec. 25 was stolen as a holiday from pagans by Christians also. Christians love to steal!