Kvass versus Coke, Russian cartoons versus foreign ones, and so on. In a time when everything seems to divide Russia from the rest of the world, even Santa Claus could not avoid the comparison. Russian answer to chubby Santa is Ded Moroz. And he is a tough guy. A semiserious post about the ongoing confrontation between Russia and the West.
During the year-end press conference, a reporter asked Putin why the kvass is not on supermarket shelves next to other soft drinks. The question is not as preposterous as it may sound. The drink made from fermented grain, popular especially in summer, is one of the icons of the Soviet tradition that had soon after the fall of the USSR was snubbed for American products. Just like movies, cartoons, street food, and so on. Now that Russians feel everyday more pressure by the West – perceived as open hostility – anything that helps to feed the Russian exceptionalism is good cause. Another journalist, at the same press conference, put her questions to the president holding a doll of Krokodil Gena, a character famous among all Russians who were children in the 70 and 80. With the upcoming Christmas, even Santa Claus could not avoid the comparison.
Grandpa Frost
Ded Moroz or, translated, Grandpa Frost, is perfect. He’s tall, slender, dressed like a king. He is often portrayed in a long blue coat, edged with gold or silver. In his hand, he holds a long staff like a pastoral and a hat like a crown. Nothing to do with the ruddy Santa Claus with a coke in his hand. Ded Moroz is austere, almost hieratic, as the pagan gods from whom he descends, and who ruled the wind, bad weather and frost. During the Soviet era, when the religious references were not right and proper, he delivered gifts to all the little pioneers from Lithuania to Turkmenistan, with no differences of faith. So that there is no room for mistakes, he brings his gifts not on December 25, nor on January 7 – the date of the Orthodox Christmas – but on the new year’s eve.
While Santa Claus limps on his sleigh pulled by reindeer, which are far from the fastest animals, Ded Moroz flies on a troika pulled by three prancing foals with long manes. In old greeting postcards, he splashes into space alongside rockets and satellites.
Snegurochka
And then there’s her, Snegurochka. According to tradition, the young assistant is Ded Moroz granddaughter, but there are rumors she is not. Snegurochka has eyes like the sky and her blond hair are framed in a wreath of snowflakes. I did not want to say it, but our Santa Claus can at most count on elves. In short, between him and Ded Moroz there is no comparison.
Still, his features perfectly summarize Russianness. That’s how the Russians like it, a bit rough and very macho. Good with his babies but strong and authoritarian when needed. With a beautiful young woman at his side, but never too emotional. A little aged and experienced, but looking young and muscular. And that when is next to his American counterpart makes all Russian be proud. Anyone else with these characteristics?
@daniloeliatwitter
Kvass versus Coke, Russian cartoons versus foreign ones, and so on. In a time when everything seems to divide Russia from the rest of the world, even Santa Claus could not avoid the comparison. Russian answer to chubby Santa is Ded Moroz. And he is a tough guy. A semiserious post about the ongoing confrontation between Russia and the West.