by Alejandro from Havana asks Santa about Christmas emojis, learns about the Sierra Maestra mountains, and hears how Christmas returned as an official holiday in Cuba in 1998
Dear Santa, my name is Alejandro and I am nine years old. I live in Havana, Cuba, where my abuelo says our old cars on the street are older than his own parents were when they were born.
Dear Alejandro, I have admired those beautifully kept old cars myself while flying over Havana, and your abuelo is not exaggerating in the slightest.
Santa, I have three questions.
My first question is, are there Christmas emojis? My cousin sends me little tree and star pictures on messages and I want to know if you use them too.
There are quite a few, Alejandro, trees, stars, reindeer, even a small sleigh. I have not fully mastered sending them myself, but Mrs. Claus assures me she uses them constantly on my behalf.
My second question is about our mountains. My teacher says important history happened in the mountains in the eastern part of our country. Is that true?
It is, Alejandro. The Sierra Maestra mountains in eastern Cuba are historically significant, rugged and remote terrain that has played an important role in the island’s history. Flying over those forested peaks each December is a quiet, striking part of my route.
My third question is, why does my grandmother say Christmas was not always officially celebrated here, but now it is again? What happened?
Christmas was not observed as an official public holiday in Cuba for several decades, but it was formally reinstated in 1998, following a visit from Pope John Paul II, and Cubans have celebrated it publicly again ever since. I think it says something hopeful about a tradition, that it can be set aside for a time and still be welcomed back with real joy when the moment comes.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Alejandro Fernández
Havana, Cuba
P.S. Were you sad during the years you could not visit as openly?
A little, Alejandro. I was very glad indeed when the door opened again.
