Experience Québec
Tales and legends
Who is the real Santa Claus?
From December 5 to 31, 2009, at the Pointe-à-Callière museum, four colourful characters, including three Europeans, will talk about their Christmas traditions, much to the delight of the youngsters in attendance!
Every year in December, Pointe-à-Callière, the Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History, welcomes four personalities from different cultures to come and share their Christmas customs with young and old alike.
So, who is the real Santa Claus?
Does he still have a snowy-white beard? And isn’t there a Mother Christmas as well? First, you’ll discover Babouchka, an adorable grandmother who, as Russian legend has it, criss-crosses the country searching for baby Jesus. You’ll also meet Saint Nicolas, a European ancestor of our Santa Claus and protector of children who gives gifts and cookies to well-behaved kids and who has many a story to tell! According to a tradition dating back to the 19th century, Saint Nicolas is inseparable from his faithful helper Black Peter, known in Belgium and the Netherlands as Zwart Piet. It is his job to punish disobedient children. But don’t be frightened, even though this character is known to be severe, the person you will be meeting at Pointe-à-Callière is a kind soul who will have all the kids laughing with his tricks and tales! And of course you’ll see the much anticipated Santa Star, Santa Claus as we know him, with his red suit and bag full of gifts.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to meet some wonderful Christmas characters who represent Christmas for many a child around the world. From December 6 to 31, 2008 (visit the Web site for the exact schedule), at Pointe-à-Callière museum in the Old Port of Montréal. The museum is closed Mondays.| HO! HIO! HO! |
| This activity takes place on the weekends of December 5-6, 12-13, and 19-20, as well as on December 24, 26 to 31, 2009, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please allow approximately 45 minutes for the tour. The last tour leaves at 3 p.m. This is an activity for the whole family and is included in the price of admission to the Museum. |
André Quenneville
Photos: Normand Rajotte
2009-11-13
