Father Frost visits Slovenia on New Year’s Eve

In December, the last of the three good men, Father Frost, who brings presents on the night between 31 December and 1 January, visits Slovenians and makes them happy. He entered the Slovenian cultural sphere from the former Soviet Union legends and found his home as a vigorous Slovenian beneath Triglav. He is married to Old Lady Winter and has been a popular mythological character for decades. You can recognise him by his long grey beard, fur coat with traditional Slovenian ornaments and traditional warm dormouse fur hat that he wears on his head. As such, he was illustrated for the first time by a famous Slovenian painter. Did you know you can send a letter with your secret wishes to Father Frost in Slovenia?

December is a time for giving presents to our loved ones and a time when the third festive man, Father Frost, visits many homes following Saint Nicholas and Father Christmas. The character originates from the times of paganism, while in Slovenia he found his home in 1930’s under the highest Slovenian mountain, Triglav. In that period, Slovenian painter Maksim Gaspari created the image by which he is still know today. He originates in the tradition of Alpine summer pastures, which is why we Slovenians soon adopted him as our own. You can recognise him by his bright wolf fur coat, long white beard and grey dormouse fur hat on his head. According to the legend, he is accompanied by chamois, snow fairies, edelweiss flowers and Alpine herders carrying baskets full of presents.

Father Frost in Slovenia

Throughout the year, his wife, Old Lady Winter, keeps him company, while on the night between 31 December and 1 January he makes people happy by bring them presents. He may bring you a present unexpectedly, while if you wish him to fulfil your secret wishes, write him on time at the following address: Snow Cave 1, Under Triglav. The strongest tradition of Father Frost is held in kindergartens. There, the good man visits the youngest in December, presenting them with small gifts. Children love to sing festive songs along with him. Among them, the most well-known is the song ‘Grey fur hat, white beard’ (Siva kučma, bela brada), written by the popular Slovenian composer Janez Bitenc.

In Slovenia, you might meet him in December in processions passing along festive streets in many towns and cities. He comes from his home beneath Triglav riding a horse-drawn sledge, accompanied by creatures from folk tales and fairy tales, and greets the passers-by.

Believe in beautiful experiences. Welcome to fairy tale Slovenia.

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