Children across Belgium breathed a sigh of relief as the government confirmed Saint Nicholas would be exempt from the country's strict coronavirus rules. Ministers have written him a letter to confirm his exemption.
Image: Laurie Dieffembacq/dpa/picture alliance
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Belgian children will receive their annual presents as usual on December 6 from St. Nicholas as the gift-bearer will be exempt from the country's strict coronavirus restrictions, health and interior ministers confirmed on Thursday.
Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden and Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke penned a tongue-in-cheek letter to Nicholas in order to ease children's fears that they might not get their gifts this year in the wake of the pandemic.
The officials confirmed Nicholas would not have to quarantine after arriving in Belgium from Spain, where he resides, and he would be able to cross rooftops to drop presents down chimneys, even during curfew hours.
St. Nicholas doesn't have COVID-19
"We hear that this virus has also created a lot of problems in Spain," the ministers began. "So it gave us the greatest pleasure when we learned that, despite your old age, you have been able to escape the virus in recent months and that you are still in good health."
The joint letter, which was published in Le Soir, a French-language daily newspaper in Belgium, urged Nicholas to "do what you do best: make every child happy. We are counting on you."
For generations, the visit of St. Nicholas at the onset of winter has been a holiday highlight for Belgian kids, much like the work of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve for children elsewhere in the world.
Saint Nicholas — one man, one mission
For centuries, he has had a holy mission — on December 6, St. Nicholas comes to Europe to bring treats to all the good children. No place is too far away for him, but he still manages to be everywhere at the same time.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/K.-J. Hildebrandt
Out and about with staff and miter
Saint Nicholas was a 4th-century bishop who lived in Myra, a town in what is today Turkey. According to legend, this son of rich parents gave his entire wealth to the poor. This made him the forerunner of Father Christmas or Santa Claus, as well as Germany's Christ Child. He has become a symbol of the Christmas season.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Schrader
Of, and for, the masses
In 1931, a US cola company used Saint Nicholas to advertise its beverage. He was shown wearing what has become the accepted attire of all red with white trimmings. These days, the outfit must be flexible enough to withstand sporting activities such as this Father Christmas race in Michendorf in the German state of Brandenburg.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/R. Hirschberger
Cold feet are not a problem!
At the annual global conference of Father Christmases in the Danish capital Copenhagen, hundreds of men and women from different countries ready themselves for the busy and stressful festive season. A bracing dip in the water can only help boost energy.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/E. Refner
Diving under
Today, St. Nicholas takes on additional special missions — such as delivering food to the fish in the 250,000 liter (66,000 US gallon) aquarium at the Multimar Waddensea Forum in Tönning in north-western Germany.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/C. Rehder
Edible production line Santas
Edible Santas have been around since 1820. The first examples were made by hand and consisted entirely of chocolate. These days, they are usually made in a mold and mostly hollow. Germany produces some 150 million every year.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/P. Kneffel
Good cop, bad cop
In many parts of Europe, the benevolent Saint Nicholas is accompanied by an ominous servant. In Germany, he is called Knecht Ruprecht and, with his rod and sack of coals, he threatens to thrash misbehaving children. In France, he is known as the Pere Fouettard, in the Netherlands as Zwarte Piet, in Switzerland as Schmutzli and in Austria and southern Germany he is called Krampus.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/F. Gambarini
With a great following
In southern Germany, the Buttnmandl procession involves St. Nicholas being followed by wild creatures covered in fur and straw, ringing bells and yelling as he goes from house to house to chase away the bad spirits. This pagan ritual in the region of Berchtesgaden was gradually integrated into Christian traditions and has become a popular spectacle on December 5 and 6.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Nikelski
A friendly exchange
St. Nicholas is flexible when it comes to mode of transport. He might ride a bike in Germany, travel on a sleigh drawn by reindeer in Finland or on the back of a dromedary, like here at the Red Sea in Egypt. His white beard and red fur trimmed coat and hat mean that he is recognizable all over the world.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Tödt
Under the radar — well mostly
This photo from a speed camera shows St. Nicholas and his chauffeur in a bit of a hurry. The car was traveling 10 kmh (6 mph) faster than the speed limit of 50 kilometers per hour. In view of the time pressures that "Saint Nicholas" is under, the authorities reportedly let him off with a warning rather than a hefty fine.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
High-flyer
How St. Nicholas or Santa Claus manages to be in lots of different places around the world at the same time remains a mystery. But one thing is certain: He always returns the next year and he always stays on course flying across the sky, such as here over Lake Geneva.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/J.-C. Bott
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But he can still respect social distancing
Belgium's health care system has been pushed to the brink in recent weeks because of rising coronavirus infections and the government has implemented nightly curfews, tough quarantine measures and a lockdown on social life to help prevent the spread of the virus.
And the ministers wanted to remind St. Nicholas of his duty to "always respect distancing, wash hands regularly and wear a face mask," despite his long white beard.
Nicholas was not the only one who was exempt from certain strict measures this year as the ministers concluded their letter by saying: "Every child is a hero, and for once you don't need to check in your big notebook who's been good."
