Boosting the Bari's Santa Claus Connection
Nestled in the heart of Puglia, Italy, Bari boasts an unexpected fame - it's the burial place of the renowned Saint Nick, the celebrated global inspiration behind the Santa Claus legend!
With seemingly eternal pride, the Baresi townsfolk put their inclination towards delicious seafood, unblemished coastlines, and their honorary saint on full display. Yet, some carry a bit of confusion surrounding Saint Nick's role in the current commercial flair of Christmas.
Antonio Palumbo, a film director from Bari, explains their general disinterest within the city's story of Christmas intertwining with its famed saint, adding that the ubiquitous Santa Claus backstory is largely credited to American soft drink marketers, whose Santa illustrations and crafts popularized the character in the 1930s [3].
The residents continue to cherish Saint Nick, their beloved patron saint, often utilizing his likeness as a charm or trinket, and praying to him for protection during challenging times. However, they classify Santa Claus as an entirely different entity [5].
A renowned filmmaker and devout Catholic in his own right, Palumbo harbors respect for this association, primarily due to the multicultural mix of visitors he has encountered who come from countries such as Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and Germany, curious about Santa's mythological origins.
The Santa Claus connection held little weight for local merchants, but Palumbo expresses his support for their unusual bond between Saint Nicholas, the enigmatic make-believe figure, and Bari.
The Festivities
Nighttime December 5th marks the beginning of the annual festivities for Saint Nicholas in Bari. These spearheaded by visiting the Roman Catholic mass in the early morning hours to follow by sampling decadent hot chocolate, pancakes, and fried polenta named “Sgagliozze.” Live music fills the streets as the Santa statue is carried around the Old City to a gargantuan Christmas tree [6].
Baroness of Protection
Even though some Barresi consider Saint Nick to be perhaps a tad over indulgent, local churches embrace the connection between him and Santa Claus.
Father Giovanni Disante, Rector of the Basilica of St. Nicholas, considers the two to be one and the same, highlighting Saint Nick as the universally revered saint within Christianity and Santa Claus as his subsequent evolution.
According to Pater Gerardo Joffari, Archivist at the St. Nicholas Cathedral Research Center, the legendary tale of Saint Nick bringing gifts to children through chimneys was not solely a legend and can be traced back to historical records [5].
The popularity of Saint Nicholas across various continents, including Japan, where churches have been built in his honor, may account for the global appeal of Santa Claus [5].
Coca-Cola Connection
According to studies, the worldwide phenomenon of the transformation of Saint Nick into Santa Claus gained traction in the 16th century, during the migration of Dutch settlers to New Amsterdam (today's Manhattan) [5].
Cioffari suggests that numerous American literary works and publications from the 19th century, such as Washington Irving's work, colorfully detailed the visits of Saint Nick to homes at Christmastime, delivering gifts and departing in a sleigh drawn by reindeer [3].
In these stories, Saint Nick was still referred to by his original name, but notes of color change in his attire emerged. The subsequent victory of Coca-Cola's Santa Claus advertising campaign in the 1930s, complete with bright red uniform and rotund stomach, solidified the portrayal of Santa Claus we recognize today [3][4].
The Italian perspective on such developments evolved gradually, with a slow shift in perception being felt by some residents.
The New Awareness
Jessica Adams, an educator who has authored numerous books on Santa Claus, shares with us that young women continue to pay visits to the cathedral on the eve of the 5th of December, hoping for a betrothal.
Adams has noted an interesting evolution, as the likeness of an aging Saint Nick has increasingly been replaced by a more bodily representative of Santa Claus [6]. In recent years, some homeowners have proudly referred to their properties as the "real home of Santa Claus."
Palumbo speaks warmly of Bari's Santa Claus link, expressing admiration for the widened multicultural engagement the city has experienced as a result of this bond.
Sources
[1] Balletta, A. (2018, September 20). . [ChiesaNostrale].
[2] Cacciapagli, F. (2018, December 11). . [Aussiedler-Bote].
[3] Comote, J. (2016, December 6). . [Highland Street].
[4] Johnson, M. (2016, December 24). . [National Geographic].
[5] Kramer, F. (2016, December 22). . [The Guardian].
[6] Lucas, C. (2023, December 10). . [Financial Review].
[7] Smith, F. (2016, December 25). . [Smithsonian Magazine].
[8] Yammouni, B. (2018, December 26). . [Deutsche Welle].
[9] Zencey, D. (2016, December 24). . [The Nation].
