by Voahangy, age 8 from Antananarivo, Madagascar, asks Santa about Christmas Next Door, Madagascar’s unique wildlife, and its blended Christmas traditions.
Dear Santa, my name is Voahangy, and I am eight years old. I live in Antananarivo, Madagascar, where my dadabe says most of the animals on our whole island live absolutely nowhere else on Earth.
Dear Voahangy, an island full of one-of-a-kind creatures sounds like one of the most fascinating stops on my entire route, your dadabe picked a truly remarkable hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
Have you seen Christmas Next Door? My tante watches it every year with her whole book club.
I have seen a good number of cozy neighborhood-themed Christmas films over the years, Voahangy, and a whole book club gathering to watch one together sounds like a lovely tradition. Movies are always better shared.
My teacher says Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the entire world. Is that true?
It is true, Voahangy, Madagascar ranks as the fourth largest island on Earth, home to an extraordinary number of plants and animals found absolutely nowhere else. I always fly a slow, admiring pass over that unique landscape.
My dadabe says our Christmas traditions blend Christianity with older customs of honoring our ancestors. Is that true?
It is true, Voahangy, many Malagasy families blend Christian Christmas traditions with older customs of honoring ancestors, creating celebrations that feel deeply, uniquely your own. That blending of old and new into something meaningful is really a beautiful thing to witness.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Voahangy Rakoto
Antananarivo, Madagascar
P.S. Do you ever see any of our special animals on your way past?
Every year, Voahangy, and I never quite get used to how wonderfully strange and beautiful they are.
