by Sven, age 9 from Eindhoven, Netherlands, asks Santa about festive street names, the city’s electronics heritage, and its annual light festival.
Dear Santa, my name is Sven, and I am nine years old. I live in Eindhoven, Netherlands, where my opa says our city hosts a huge festival every year covering everything in glowing lights.
Dear Sven, a city that glows like that during the darkest part of the year is exactly my kind of neighborhood, your opa picked a truly radiant hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
What is Santa Lane? My cousin lives on a street with that exact name and thinks it is the coolest thing ever.
Plenty of towns have streets with festive names like that, Sven, Santa Lane included, especially in places that lean heavily into Christmas spirit. Your cousin has every right to feel a little proud of an address like that.
My opa says Eindhoven became an important city because of a famous electronics company that started here. Is that true?
It is true, Sven, Eindhoven grew significantly around a major electronics company that began right there, shaping much of the city’s modern identity. I always enjoy that innovative, bright energy flying over your city.
My opa says our city’s light festival happens every November, filling the streets with glowing art. Is that true?
It is true, Sven, Eindhoven’s light festival transforms the city every November, glowing art installations filling the darkened streets. That kind of shared creativity, brightening the darkest days together, is really the heart of the whole season.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Sven de Vries
Eindhoven, Netherlands
P.S. Will you fly extra slow over the light festival this year?
Every single year, Sven, that view deserves a proper, unhurried look.
