St. Nicholas’ day

Then and now

Aleksander Krajnik, 7. A

IN THE PAST

My grandmother told me that this special day was very similar in the past as it is today. The main difference was that children prepared special baskets for St. Nicholas to put presents in them. Devils called parkeljni scared children before the arrival of St. Nicholas. They were very scared . They could hear the sound of rattling chain. Children usually got dried fruit, flowers, home made cookies and walnuts as presents. They were very pleased.

TODAY

Today children a few days before his arrival give a letter on the window shelf. In the letter they write about their secret whishes, what they whish to get from St. Nicholas.St. Nicholas takes the letter secretly, and usually leaves a small gift like some candy for the children.

On that special day, we geather in front of the castle in Puštal and we wait for him and his escort including the angels, devils (parkeljni) and a

record keeper as well as Lucifer, a specail kind of a devil.

There are many devils who try to be as scary and real as possible. We try to escape them because we know that they like to scare and punish

naughty boys with a stick. They walk aroud the street and scare us. All this is happening half and hour before the arriaval of St. Nicholas.

If you are caught by a devil ( what happened to me in this picture), it is not very nice. The other people are just laughing but I am waiting for his punishment- prayer or punches.

In this picture a devil caught my friend, who had to say his prayer. Luckily he didn’t hit him.

Before St. Nicholas comes to our homes, devils appear. Everybody can see them from the window if they are too scared to come out.

Look at this baby’s face, but he is not the only one scared. Adults are scared as well.

Finally St.Nicholas arrives with angels and devils. We all geather around him. Then The record keeper reads from his book and explains what we

have done wrong or good the passing year. The once who have been very naughty are usually scared by Lucifer.

We promise to become better. Angels give us candy and St. Nicholas promises to bring us presents during the night.

SOURCES

Oral source: Lojzka Krajnik, 28. 10. 2011.Photographs: Krajnik family, 5. 12. 2010.