The Parade of Little St Nicholases in Uzhhorod - a grand and magical celebration!
Thousands of little and grown-up St Nicholas helpers in red caps, together with enchanting little angels, walk through the old town. The route is almost always the same: the helpers of the Wonderworker set off from Petőfi Square, across the pedestrian bridge to Teatralna, Poshtova and Narodna Squares, on to the regional state administration, and they also visit the children in the children’s hospital. The little St Nicholases sing merry New Year and Christmas songs, ring their bells, and give every passer-by sweets, biscuits, handmade toys and an incredible festive mood. Then everyone gathers on the central square of Uzhhorod, where the lights on the city’s main Christmas tree are ceremonially lit. It is a remarkably beautiful, special tradition and a truly spectacular procession!
The Parade of Little St Nicholases in Uzhhorod: a grand, colourful event with an important mission
The idea for the Parade came to life, though on a far smaller scale, in 1993, when its founder Fedir Shandor was still working as a teacher at an Uzhhorod school. Back then, to add a little variety to St Nicholas Day, the children sewed themselves red caps by hand and learned songs. On 19 December, for the first time in the city’s history, schoolchildren took to the streets of Uzhhorod, sang and handed out sweets to everyone. The idea appealed both to the organisers and to the pupils themselves, and so it was decided: the event would be “expanded” to other schools and held every year.
Today the Parade of Little St Nicholases in Uzhhorod - is thousands of schoolchildren, students and adults, hundreds of kilograms of sweets given away, and a wonderful celebration that everyone eagerly awaits. On this day they honour the great Wonderworker - St Nicholas, patron of the poor and of children, who believed in goodness and love for one’s neighbour, helped people and worked true miracles.
In addition, the little St Nicholases of Uzhhorod carry out a very important mission. On the eve of the holiday, all the children traditionally write letters to St Nicholas, telling of their good deeds and of the gifts they would like to receive in their boots or under their pillow. They send the letters to the city post office, from where the little St Nicholases forward the precious cargo straight to Lapland.
However, the parade did not stop at Uzhhorod alone. Last year the baton for holding the celebration was passed to two more towns of Transcarpathia - Mukachevo and Perechyn. The organisers also added one more highlight - the so-called “Night Run” - night-time races of the little St Nicholases along the streets and embankments of the town. The aim of this event is, above all, to promote active leisure, to entertain the locals and to remind everyone that the holidays are already very near. In addition, various concerts, contests and charity auctions are held, raising funds for important social projects.
The good deeds of the Wonderworker were commemorated in an original way in 2010 in Uzhhorod on the railings of Teatralna Square - in the form of a charming little monument. The tiny St Nicholas with a sack of gifts became one of the first miniature sculptures that appeared in the city thanks to the talented craftsman Mykhailo Kolodko. They say that if you rub the monument and make a wish, it will surely come true.
You can visit the grand Parade of Little St Nicholases in Uzhhorod on our excursion.
