by A dancing girl in Havana asks what Santa is called in Spanish, the largest Caribbean island, and why Cubans keep classic cars
A Letter to Santa from Havana, Cuba
Dear Santa,
Hola Santa! My name is Sofia and I am 8 years old. I live in Havana, in Cuba, where bright old cars roll down the streets and music drifts from every window. I love dancing and painting. My question is: what is Santa Claus called in Spanish? My geography question is: what is the largest island in the Caribbean? And my social studies question is: why do people work so hard to keep old classic cars running? Gracias, Santa!
Love, Sofia (age 8)
Santa’s Reply
Ho ho ho, hola Sofia! A girl from colorful Havana brings sunshine to my mailbox. In Spanish, I am most often called Papa Noel, which means Father Christmas, and that is a name I am very fond of. Some people also call me San Nicolas, after the saint I grew from. And in many Spanish-speaking lands, the Three Kings, called los Reyes Magos, bring gifts to children too, often on the sixth of January. So in your beautiful language, I have several lovely names, and I answer happily to them all.
Your geography question: the largest Caribbean island
The largest island in the whole Caribbean Sea is your own Cuba. It stretches long and green between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean, with sandy beaches, tobacco fields, and lively cities. Being the biggest island in the region has made Cuba an important crossroads for travelers for centuries. Read more at National Geographic Kids.
Your social studies question: keeping old cars running
In your own Cuba, many families lovingly keep classic cars from the 1950s running, sometimes for generations. When new cars were hard to come by, clever Cuban mechanics learned to repair and reinvent the old ones with whatever parts they could find. Today those bright vintage cars are a proud and famous symbol of Cuban cleverness and care. Explore more at Britannica Kids.
Dance a happy dance for me, Sofia. Yours warmly from the North Pole, Santa Claus.
