Getting in the festive spirit with Kysh Babay
96 views · Published 20 December 2018 · 5:03 · Indexed 3 October 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(15 Dec 2018) LEADIN: The small nation of Tartarstan in Russia is gearing up to celebrate Christmas with its own unique traditions. They even have their own version of Santa Claus called Kysh Babay who lives in the forest with his mythical companions. STORYLINE: In the forests of Russia's Republic of Tartarstan, Kysh Babay is getting into the Christmas spirit. Known as the Wintry grandfather, the Tatar version of Santa lives with his mythical companions in the village of Yana Kyrlay. As the ancient Turkic legend goes, Kysh Babay is a winter deity who was born in the longest night of year, on 22 December, when the celebration started and ended on 1 January. The deity rules the winter world and has a lot of friends and assistants who help him, including his daughter Kar Kyzy, forest spirit Shurale and water spirit Su Anasy. "I am the winter wizard of Tatarstan, so my costume mostly has Tartar national ornaments. That is my 'shytyk', my boots, my magic Tartar 'kushak' (belt), my tyubeteika, a headgear. You probably have seen Ded Moroz (Russian Father Christmas), he has a hat. And I have a tyubeteika, the Tartar national headgear," says Kysh Babay. He used to live in the Kyrlay forest, 80 kilometers from the Russian city of Kazan, until this special residence was built for him in 2009. Now, it's one of the most visited places in Tatarstan welcoming 6,500 people yearly. Thousands of children from across the country write letters to Kysh Babay every year asking for their wises to be granted. "There are kids who write a letter and wish me continued health, and themselves continued health. Even there are children who wish peace in the world, you know. It's not difficult for me to fulfil such wishes. There are kids who ask for an iPhone or a tablet. I also try to fulfil these wishes as far as possible," he says. Both children and adults come here to plunge into the Christmas fairytale. "This feeling of fairytale and childhood surrounds you and (you feel) a chill when you start hearing some voices like 'Oh, kids, where are you?'. You forget your age and get involved in the game," says visitor Irina Padishcheva. First, they enter the magic forest where they should pass a number of trials, including various contests and riddles. Many fantastic characters, including a dragon, Baba Yaga (witch) and others, are there to meet visitors. "After Ded Moroz (Russian Father Christmas) from the city of Veliky Ustyug, Kysh Babay has the second highest (popularity) rate for the third consecutive year. Why? Because he is charismatic, handsome bogeyman with his unique beautiful forest entourage. No one fairytale character of the Russian Federation has such a big and beautiful entourage. And to date, both adults and children from all Russia's regions visit the residence." Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/90169ca0a9e2f3800b0b5f8ac3e12d48
