Each Christmas, Santa Claus enchants children all across America. But stories of international Santas, like England's Father Christmas, can be heard around the globe, each with their own cultural spin.
Sünter Klaus (Germany)
According to Germanian folklore, this 19th-century Bavarian Duke was exiled by Slavic revolutionaries for his strict rule, but returns to his homeland each year on the night of the first snowfall to cobble the shoes of loyal Germans, and devour the children of unwed mothers.Fat Jesus Who Brings Toys (Japan)
In an ill-conceived attempt to Westernize his city, Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara dresses up each December as the Messiah to celebrate the birth of Christ with an epic eight-day rave held in the Tokyo Megadome, home of the city's Fighting Squids baseball club.Ulrich the Holiday Nazi (Argentina)
After fleeing to South America following the fall of the Third Reich, claims this holiday myth, German war criminal Hans-Ulrich Rudel was granted asylum by the Argentinean government in exchange for an annual donation from his vast stockpile of ill-gotten Nazi treasure, priceless oil paintings, and exotic Austrian pornography.Uncle Christmas (Australia)
Australia's Uncle Christmas is much like the United Kingdom's Father Christmas, except he never finished high school and sneaks you beers at family barbeques. He also smokes a lot of pot and drives a '96 Dodge Viper.Good King Stolenbjorg (Norway)
The ancient Nordic god of milk and taffy, Stolenbjorg is beloved by Norwegian children of all ages, who are taught this traditional nursery rhyme from the moment they learn to speak (translated):Stolenbjorg, we love thee so.
Your hair so golden, your teeth so white.
Bring us taffy, bring us milk
Before the winter kills us all!
Illustration by Jonita Griffith.
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