According to historical facts, Kaunas is the only city in Lithuania, which can be called the real Christmas capital, Kaunas Municipality news states. Connections between Santa Claus and Kaunas more than obvious.
In 1998, Saint Nicholas was nominated as the guardian of the city, and he is known as being progenitor of Santa Claus. In Greek, his name was Nicholas, but in other countries it is simplified into Klaus (Claus). There are many cities in the world that declare Saint Nicholas as the city’s guardian, but Kaunas is the only one in Lithuania.
“The picture of Saint Nicholas can be found in the stamps of the oldest documents, and on the walls of the Old Town. We have Saint Nicholas church, too. I guess, that based on these facts Kaunas can be proudly called Christmas Capital of Lithuania”, says Kęstutis Ignatavičius, Chairman of Kaunas Town Hall society.
Most of time the statue of the Saint Nicholas is kept Saint Nicholas church, but every year before Christmas the statue is being brought to Kaunas Town Hall where it stays during whole holiday season. Important part of the ceremony is a Saint Nicholas speech from the Old Town Hall balcony.
This year one more ceremony will be added to the tradition: the coins, which were thrown into the ancient wax stove by the tourists and Kaunas residents, will be collected and given away as a charity for important organisations.
Kaunas University of Technology invites all the students – international and local – to join the festive mood of the city. By doing good deeds, spreading joy and happiness we will make our city a true Christmas Capital, where miracles can happen.
