by A girl in Budapest asks how long the Santa special is, why Budapest is two cities, and why Hungarian is so different
A Letter to Santa from Budapest, Hungary
Dear Santa,
Szia Santa! My name is Eszter and I am 8 years old. I live in Budapest, in Hungary, a city split in two by the wide Danube and famous for its warm bath houses. I love painting and reading stories under a blanket. My question is: how long is the show Santa Claus Is Comin to Town? I want to watch it with cocoa! My geography question is: why is Budapest really two cities joined together? And my social studies question is: why is the Hungarian language so different from its neighbors? Koszonom, Santa!
Love, Eszter (age 8)
Santa’s Reply
Ho ho ho, szia Eszter! Cocoa under a blanket sounds like the perfect plan. The famous holiday television special, Santa Claus Is Comin to Town, runs for about fifty minutes, which is just the right length to enjoy with a warm mug. It first appeared on television back in 1970 and has been a beloved Christmas favorite ever since, with its charming little puppet-style characters. So pour your cocoa, snuggle under that blanket, and settle in, fifty cozy minutes will pass in a twinkling.
Your geography question: why Budapest is two cities
Your own Budapest was once two separate towns, Buda on one side of the Danube and Pest on the other. Long ago they joined together into one grand city, but you can still feel the difference. Buda is hilly with its old castle, while Pest is flat and bustling. Beautiful bridges now stitch the two halves together. Read more at National Geographic Kids.
Your social studies question: the Hungarian language
The Hungarian language is famously different from the languages of its neighbors. While many nearby countries speak related tongues, Hungarian came from far to the east long ago and belongs to a completely different language family. That is why it sounds so unique and is part of what makes your country’s heritage special. Explore more at Britannica Kids.
Paint a cozy picture for me, Eszter. Yours warmly from the North Pole, Santa Claus.
