Svatý Mikuláš

This is a Czech tradition we would like to bring home with us. Well, I'm not sure Ella is sold on it yet...it was a bit scary! But, Jeff and I had a blast. December 5 is a very special day here. The streets were crowded with families starting at dusk. The squares and Christmas Markets were particularly good for spotting Mikuláš, the Devil, and the Angel...




The costumes were great - some were exceptional. While waiting to meet Jeff, I saw two HUGE devils that scared the crappola out of me! One even had a real whip that he cracked as he walked down the middle of a busy street...this was in front of two cops! No problem...Gotta love it!

So the basic premise is that St. Nicholas (Sv. Mikuláš) comes around to all the children on the evening of December 5. He asks them whether they have been good or bad. He brings along a devil and an angel. If they have been bad the devil will give them a potato or some coal. If they have been really bad he will take them away with him! Ella and I were "marked" by a devil while she slept...



The angel is there to protect the children. After their wrong-doings have been brought into the open, Sv. Mikuláš will request they sing a song or recite a poem. If he is happy with the performance (it outweighs any bad behavior) they are rewarded with a small gift, typically fruit or a sweet. It's the whole reward and punishment theme. Some of the devils are REALLY scary! Certainly enough to keep me in line throughout the year! And this little guy, too, wouldn't you agree?



As you could tell from the video, parents often feed the devil some info. It is common to actually hire a group to come to your house or for a neighborhood to pitch in and have them come around to all of the houses. In some smaller areas groups just go from door to door, and in return they are given beer or a shot at each house...things really get crazy towards the end of the night!

The sights of Prague continue to astound...tonight was a full moon and the weather was mild...so beautiful.





~Maylia

Bonus photos: Ella before and after the celebration.