Nothing like a little drama for the Christmas season. The speaker of the Russian Parliment, Boris Gryzlov, declared recently that Santa Cluas is an imposter, an illegal alien and his presence in Russia has a negative Western influence on the country.
Meet the new Russia, same as the old Russia:
Behind his attacks on Santa Claus –whom he urged to ‘get out of the profession, at least in Russia’ – is a fear of encroaching Western influences which have led to battles in the streets between Santas dressed in white beards and red coats and Ded Morozes dressed in blue.
Now really, who doesn’t want to see a group of red Santas facing of against a group of blue Deds, circling each other, snapping their fingers, ready to break out into a frost covered version of West Side Story? I know I do.
I just glad that all the problems in Russia are solved, giving the Russian Parliament time to deal with matters like this.
But seriously, there is a creepy Soviet Union era feel to this declaration, one that makes me wonder if it isn’t part of moving the country back towards the good old days.
What do you think?
Photo by Matti Mattila.
