by Noah, age 8, asks Samichlaus are you the same as the German Weihnachtsmann?, about Lake Zurich, and Switzerland’s four official languages
Dear Samichlaus,
My name is Noah and I am 8 years old. I live in Zurich, Switzerland, where my family rings cowbells and walks through the old town every December sixth for the big Samichlaus parade.
First, are you the same as the German Weihnachtsmann?
Second, a geography question: what lake is Zurich built along?
Third, a school question about my country: why does Switzerland have four official languages?
I left you a small basket of nuts, dried fruit, and a gingerbread man.
Love, Noah, age 8, Zurich, Switzerland, Zurich, Switzerland
From the Desk of Samichlaus
Dear Noah, thank you for the treat, it was wonderful. Now, your questions.
Are you the same as the German Weihnachtsmann?
We are close cousins, sharing a great deal of the same story, though I keep my own name and my own place in Swiss tradition.
What lake is Zurich built along?
Zurich sits at the northern end of Lake Zurich, with the Alps visible in the distance on a clear day, and the lake often has a thin skin of mist rising off it right around the time I fly in each December.
Why does Switzerland have four official languages?
Switzerland is made up of different regions, called cantons, historically settled by German, French, Italian, and Romansh speaking communities, and rather than choosing just one language for the whole country, Switzerland recognizes all four as official.
Frohe Weihnachten, Noah.
Ho ho ho, Samichlaus
