by Filip, age 8 from Ljubljana, Slovenia, asks Santa about Christmas fruitcake, the Dragon Bridge, and Slovenia’s Saint Nicholas tradition.
Dear Santa, my name is Filip, and I am eight years old. I live in Ljubljana, Slovenia, where my babica says a dragon statue guards our famous bridge, and it has become the symbol of our whole city.
Dear Filip, a dragon standing watch over your bridge sounds like a wonderfully fierce little welcoming committee, your babica picked a truly charming hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
Do you like Christmas fruitcake? My babica makes one every year but nobody in my family seems to actually finish it.
I love a good fruitcake, Filip, dense, sweet, and packed with dried fruit, it is one of those treats that seems to last forever, which honestly might be part of its charm. Tell your babica I will happily help finish hers this year.
My teacher says a dragon statue stands on a bridge right in the middle of Ljubljana. Is that true?
It is true, Filip, the Dragon Bridge is one of Ljubljana’s most famous landmarks, guarded by four bronze dragon statues that have become a symbol of the whole city. I always give it a respectful nod flying past.
My babica says Slovenian children also get visited by Saint Nicholas on December 6th, before you even arrive. Is that true?
It is true, Filip, Saint Nicholas is a dear colleague of mine who visits Slovenian children earlier in December, with his own gifts and traditions. Two visits in one season simply means twice the chances to practice kindness and gratitude.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Filip Kranjc
Ljubljana, Slovenia
P.S. Can you help finish my babica’s fruitcake this year, for real?
Consider it a personal mission, Filip, no fruitcake left behind.
