angels, devils and saints OH MY!!!

Mikulas, or St. Nicholas Day is a wild and crazy holiday here in the Czech Republic. In villages, a trio of people, costumed as St. Nicholas, an angel and a devil (really a lesser demon, more like a satryr crossed with Loki, than a real devil), travel to homes knocking on the door to see the children of the house. Each child must then tell St. Nicholas that he or she has been good all year and recite a poem or sing a song... if they are good the angel gives them sweets, if they are bad the devil gives them a lump of coal or a potato.. if they are really bad, he puts them in his sack and takes them to hell! The day really isn't complete without a crying toddler or two! Oh and the trio are paid with money that goes to charity and their personal reward is a shot of slivovice (homemade plum liquor that often reaches a level of 60% alchohol!). And the trio must visit all the homes in the village.... yeah it's a very festive day indeed.

In the city, it's sort of a crazy Halloween.. mostly teens, though some adults, dress up and go to Old Town Square, where thousands of inhabitants wander the Christmas market, admire the 60ft tree, drink hot mulled wine and eat too many sweets. The children sing and recite to the angels and try to steer clear of all the devils lurking about. Yours truly joined in the fun last night and did indeed scare a few little ones, only to have my friend Ariel, dressed as an angel, console them and scold me. A contrite demon, I reassured the little ones to not be afraid and that I really was a nice devil... some more reassurance from moms and the little ones were fine... Most parents feel a little fear is a good behaviour modification tool!!!

Far more fun than a department store Santa to be sure!


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