by Zoe, age 7 from Boise, Idaho, writes to Bozicek to learn about Slovenian Christmas traditions and the Julian Alps.
A Letter to Bozicek from Zoe in Boise, Idaho
Dear Bozicek, my name is Zoe and I am seven years old. I live in Boise, Idaho, and I found your name in a book about winter traditions in Europe, and I could not stop reading, so here are my questions:
- Are you related to Saint Nicholas, or are you a completely different person?
- Do Slovenian children leave out cookies and milk for you?
- Do you bring presents on Christmas Eve or on Christmas morning in Slovenia?
- Do you come down the chimney, or do you sneak in through the window?
- Do you have elves or helpers to make all the toys?
- Do you have reindeer, or do you use a sleigh pulled by something else?
- Do you keep a naughty and nice list like my Santa?
- Do you look like the American Santa Claus, or do you wear different clothes?
- Do you only visit Slovenia, or do you also go to other countries?
- Your name means little Christmas one in Slovenian, does that mean you are small like an elf?
- Geography: What is the capital city of Slovenia?
- Social Studies: What other gift bringers do Slovenian children also believe in around Christmas?
From, Zoe
Bozicek Writes Back
Are you related to Saint Nicholas, or are you a completely different person?
We are cousins in spirit, Zoe. My story grew from the same Saint Nicholas legends that shaped Santa Claus across Europe, but over the centuries Slovenia gave me my own name, my own home, and my own personality.
Do Slovenian children leave out cookies and milk for you?
Yes, though Slovenian children often leave potica, a rolled nut bread, instead of plain cookies. I have never once turned down a slice.
Do you bring presents on Christmas Eve or on Christmas morning in Slovenia?
Christmas Eve, after the children are tucked in bed. I like to work while the whole house still smells like potica cooling on the counter.
Do you come down the chimney, or do you sneak in through the window?
Chimney is traditional, though I have gotten quite good with windows too, especially in Slovenia’s tidy little farmhouses where the chimneys can be surprisingly narrow.
Do you have elves or helpers to make all the toys?
I have a small team of helpers, though nothing as large as the workshop you might imagine. Slovenia is a small country, so my whole operation stays cozy and efficient.
Do you have reindeer, or do you use a sleigh pulled by something else?
Reindeer, same as always, gliding easily over Slovenia’s forests and the beautiful Julian Alps.
Do you keep a naughty and nice list like my Santa?
Of course. Though I will let you in on a secret, nearly every child ends up on the nice list by Christmas Eve. I believe in second chances in December.
Do you look like the American Santa Claus, or do you wear different clothes?
I look quite similar these days, red coat and white beard, though older Slovenian pictures of me sometimes show simpler, more old fashioned winter clothing.
Do you only visit Slovenia, or do you also go to other countries?
Mostly Slovenia, though my cousins with similar names work busily through nearby Croatia and Bosnia, so the whole region stays covered.
Your name means little Christmas one in Slovenian, does that mean you are small like an elf?
Not quite. Bozicek comes from the Slovenian word for Christmas, Bozic, with a friendly little ending added on. Think of it as an affectionate nickname rather than a comment on my height.
Geography: What is the capital city of Slovenia?
Ljubljana is the capital, a beautiful little city with a dragon on its bridge and a castle on the hill. I always enjoy flying over it on my rounds.
Social Studies: What other gift bringers do Slovenian children also believe in around Christmas?
Slovenian children are lucky, they often also welcome Saint Nicholas on December 6th and sometimes Dedek Mraz, or Grandfather Frost, around New Year’s Day, so the gift giving season stretches out for weeks.
