* MERRY CHRISTMAS * JOYEUX NOËL * FELIZ NAVIDAD *
* FROELICHES WEIHNACHTEN * BOM NATAL *
Where has Santa Claus been before this X-mas ?
The real biography of Santa Claus
Santa Claus has changed looks and names over the years, since it was imported to the US by Dutch migrants in the 17th century. Back then it was known as the legendary Sinter Klaas, the Dutch version of St Nicholas. He was dressed as a bishop, carrying a crozier and was traveling on his donkey's back to bring presents to children.
In 1809, American writer Washington Irving first wrote stories about Santa Claus's distribution of presents to children on Christmas night. But Santa Claus became even more popular when "A visit from St Nicholas" by American minister Clement Clarke Moore was published on 23rd of dec 1823 in the New York newspaper Sentinel.
In this poem, also known as "the night before Christmas",
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
This "chubby and plump" character flies fast on a miniature sleigh drawn by his eight reindeers he calls by their names, and brings toys down chimneys. This poem was again published the following years, translated and was the first step to the worldwide popularity of Santa Claus.
In 1860 and over the next thirty years, the legend of Santa Claus was illustrated by drawings by Thomas Nast, dressed in a red costume with white fur and a wide belt, wearing a long white beard, and a fur cap instead of the mitre. In 1886, Nast gave Santa Claus his homeland, the North Pole in a drawing of children following the journey of Santa Claus on a map, and US writer George Webster invented more details for the house and toys factory of Santa Claus.
The second major event that contributed to spread the image of Santa Claus around the world was Coca Cola's 1931 advertisement. Thanks to Haddon Sundblom's talent, its creator, Santa Claus became the friendly character we occasionally meet on December nights, dressed in his usual red pants and jacket, looking rather like a human being than a saint thus more credible and accessible.
His most famous reindeer, red-nosed Rudolph was given birth by poet Robert L. May in 1939, with details of Santa's tough traveling conditions in rough weather.
Many versions of the story were released throughout the US press over the last 60 years and the representations of Santa Claus drew apart from moralizing St Nicholas to unify in one single character, generous to all. Santa Claus's popularity was boosted again when he became the hero of advertisements for popular products, novels, movies and Christmas songs learnt by heart by children.
Santa Claus was then ready to be brought back to Europe.
more details on Santa's biography and Christmas traditions
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Santa Claus around the world :
Basque Country : Olentzaro
Brazil : Papai Noël
Chile : Viejo Pascuerro
England : Father Christmas
France : Père Noël
Germany : Weihnachtsmann
Italy : Babbo Natale
Japan : Santa Kuroshu
Portugal : Pai Natal
Spain : Papá Noël
Sweden : Jultomten
Russia : Дед Морож
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| - Christmas 2005 - |
 Who is who at
AVI International |
General Management
Jean-Marc Guermont, President
Jean-Luc Guermont,
Chief Executive Officer
Claudine Palomares, Chief Operating Officer
- International Sales
Jean-Luc Guermont,
International Director
* Hispanic countries and Southern Europe
- Claudine Palomares, Hispanic countries Director
- Marie Tejedor, Administrative Supervisor
- Sophie Diarisso, Account manager
- Cristina Rouceiro, Commercial Assistant Trainee
Marie Tejedor, Partnerships Travel Agents
* Northern & Eastern Europe
- Laurence Robin, Development Director Northern & Eastern Europe
- Sandrine Peron, Commercial Assistant
France Sales
Florence Aubert, Schools & Universities
Zoubida Madaoui, Individual Sales
Claims Administration
Betty Laurent, International Claims Supervisor
Sebastien Delaveau-Turc, International Claims
Martine Jacquier, French Contracts Claims
General Services
Cecile Pozzo di Borgo, Executive Assistant
Marie Jose Mnich General Accounts
Virginie Hoekman, Companies Accounts
Communication
Mathieu Pechine, Web Master
Virginie Girard, Web Editor
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 A Christmas story that ends well by Betty Laurent.On December 25, 1999, a young exchange student, was victim of a terrible accident, while in California.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO GMMI, our Florida based Alarm Centre