Great five. The best Santa Clauses in the history of the country

"Much less is known about Sergei Ivanovich Preobrazhensky than about all his colleagues in the role of" the main Santa Claus ". But it is precisely thanks to him Father Frost became what he is now.

Preobrazhensky was not just a playwright, but also a talented teacher. He knew how to work with children himself and taught this to others. It was Sergei Preobrazhensky, who assumed the position of Santa Claus on the Christmas tree in the Hall of Columns of the House of the Unions, who formulated recommendations for the artists acting in this role.

It is hard to believe, but at the end of the 1930s, when New Year trees in the USSR only appeared, the leading role of Santa Claus was not at all obvious. Moreover, this character did not even participate in the holidays everywhere.

Sergei Preobrazhensky formulated clearly: "Santa Claus is the main manager, the first entertainer and leader of all the fun." He confirmed these words with many years of work on the Christmas tree in the Hall of Columns.
Some claim that he worked in this role until the early 1960s. But relatives of Sergei Ivanovich say that in the mid-1950s he suffered major surgery, after which he did not perform.

Alexander Khvylya

In 1961, the Kremlin Palace of Congresses was opened in Moscow, in which congresses of the ruling Communist Party Soviet Union. In accordance with the slogan "All the best for children", the main New Year tree of the country began to be held in the newly built Palace.

Actor Alexander Khvylya as Morozko in the film of the same name, 1964. Photo: russianlook.com
The Kremlin New Year tree received the status of an important state event, and the candidate for the role of the “chief Santa Claus” of the country was selected extremely meticulously.

Father Frost. Snowmobile, Zimnik and Treskun. What did our ancestors call Santa Claus?
Everything was decided by the cinema. In 1964, the fairy tale film Frost was released on the screens of the country, where the role of the winter wizard was played by actor Alexander Khvylya. By that time, his account included the heroic roles of Budyonny, secretaries of party committees, the image of the stern captain Gul from the Fifteen-Year-Old Captain, and many other works.

In the image of Morozko, Alexander Leopoldovich turned out to be so organic that they decided at the top: “You won’t find the best Santa Claus for a Christmas tree in the Kremlin!”

Khvylya did an excellent job with the role of Santa Claus, however, since a rather middle-aged man took over his post, sometimes incidents happened. For example, he could not master working with a radio microphone. Somehow, having finished his part of the speech in the Kremlin, Father Frost Khvylya went backstage and began to complain aloud about a number of problems. The voice of Santa Claus, dissatisfied with life, hovered over the Kremlin Palace, and the technicians could not catch the artist in the tangled corridors. However, Grandfather Frost did not have time to say anything truly seditious.

Roman Filippov

If Alexander Khvylya was elevated to the throne of the “chief Santa Claus” by cinema, then his successor got himself a “kingdom” himself.

Roman Sergeevich Filippov is one of the best masters of the episode in Soviet cinema. Having a tall stature and a loud voice, Filippov was not suitable for the roles of the main characters, but he was also remembered for the short time that the directors assigned him. Well, who does not remember Nikola Pitersky from "Gentlemen of Fortune", who was almost deprived of his sight with the help of a "goat" by Evgeny Leonov? And what about the visitor from the restaurant at the Diamond Arm, who cordially invites Nikulin and Mironov to Kolyma?

Already being a long-term Kremlin Santa Claus, Roman Filippov tied himself even more tightly to new year holiday, playing Kamneedov in "Wizards".

New Year's holiday in the Hall of Columns, 1973.
First, Filippov was invited to the Christmas tree in the Kremlin as an understudy for Alexander Khvyli. There were a lot of understudies, but they all worked to Khvyly's phonogram (most of the performance took place under a previously made recording). Filippov insisted that a soundtrack be recorded with his voice. Then the actor made sure that he and Khvylya worked in turn.

In general, when Khvylya retired, the question of who would become the most important among Santa Clauses was no longer raised.

Roman Filippov played the role of Santa Claus on the main Christmas tree of the country for almost two decades. He became so accustomed to her that he asked his colleagues to replace him at the theater in early January. He was adored by children and parents. And the latter has become a problem over time.

The fact is that dads who brought children to the Christmas tree began to meet Filippov with champagne (and not only champagne), wanting to have a drink with Santa Claus. As a rule, Filippov did not refuse.

As a result, sometimes Father Frost was late to go on stage, and his colleagues had to beat what was happening, which is not so easy, given that the performance goes to a previously recorded soundtrack.

However, these pranks Roman Sergeevich was forgiven for his ability to work with children and devotion to the New Year holiday.

The last Christmas tree, as it happened, was held by Roman Filippov in January 1992, just a few days after the disappearance of the USSR. At his last performance, the presenter made a mistake: instead of the traditional phrase "Santa Claus does not say goodbye to you," he sounded "goodbye." This turned out to be a bad prophecy: just a month later, Roman Sergeevich was gone.

Dmitry Nazarov

When the official residence of Father Frost appeared in Veliky Ustyug in the 1990s, the position of the main Father Frost of the country also became official. A random person could not occupy such a high position. In addition, a large actor was required, not only in terms of talent, but also in terms of physical dimensions, with a powerful male voice and charm.

Incognito from Veliky Ustyug

Santa Claus during a visit to St. Petersburg, December 22, 2013.
According to information from sources close to reliable, Dmitry Nazarov resigned as the main Santa Claus. As his successor, the star of the series "Voronins" and the disaster film "Metro" Stanislav Duzhnikov is called. According to external data, Duzhnikov is quite suitable for this role. However, the actor himself claims that he does not act as Santa Claus, since even his own daughter exposes him.

Whether this is true or not, only Santa Claus himself and his entourage know. It's probably right. After all, the incognito acting New Year's wizard is part of his image. You can guess something, but you can't be sure. After all, this is part of the New Year's magic, which neither children nor adults want to refuse.

The optimal readiness of grandparents is to realize their own special role. Ancestors value their grandchildren very much, as their appearance means the beginning of a new stage in their life. life path. This is an increase in social prestige, and a richer life perspective, and new sources of satisfaction from life. Along with the provision of certain assistance - household, psychological, material, the role of grandparents is to provide a link between the present and the past of the family, the transmission of traditions, baggage family values and worldview. It is grandparents who are able to surround their grandchildren with truly unconditional love.

Psychologists point out what is the role of grandparents brings in most cases deep satisfaction to the older generation. This is an activity related to the upbringing of a new generation, but at the same time free from most of the responsibilities and intense conflicts that are characteristic of parent-child relationships. According to surveys, grandparents themselves see several important family functions in their activities. First, it is a kind of presence function. Here, grandparents act as a symbol of stability, as a kind of integrating center and as a deterrent in the event of a threat of family breakdown. Secondly, as an important function, they see the duty to be a strong support for a young family, support in case of problems and difficult situations. Also, older family members are called upon to be a kind of arbiter in resolving family conflicts. And, of course, they have the function of saving and transferring family history and family traditions, to create a sense of family unity and continuity of generations.

The role of grandparents was very significant in earlier historical periods when it was customary to live big family and several generations of the same family lived under the same roof. In Russian life, grandfather and grandmother occupied honorary position"older parents", their opinion was carefully listened to and appreciated their experience. Old people in the Russian village usually lived in a house younger son helping with housework and looking after the children as much as possible. Grandmother took care of the child, starting from his birth, especially if there was more than one child in the family. She swaddled the baby, rocked him, sang lullabies, nursed, taught him to talk and walk. Grandfather also looked after the children, played with them, made children's toys for them: carts, horses, hatchets, doll utensils, etc. As the children grew up, the role of grandparents also expanded to include them in the spiritual world of adults. In a traditional society, and in a modern one too, the elderly are the main keepers of information about the past, bearers of experience and knowledge. It was grandparents who passed on to their grandchildren the knowledge of the past, legends, myths, fairy tales, legends created by generations of ancestors.

In the modern family the role of grandparents no less than in ancient times. They play a very important role in caring for children, freeing parents time and opportunity for more fulfilling work. Grandparents stay with their grandchildren while their parents are at work, or for a time when parents go to the theater, cinema or visit in the evening, thereby helping to relax after work. Grandparents also expand the socio-psychological horizons of the child, who, leaving the close confines of the family, gains experience in communicating and interacting with older people.

The role of grandparents also always consisted in the ability to give the child most of his emotional wealth, which parents do not have time to give due to their busyness and workload. Grandparents occupy a very important place in the life of a child also because they do not punish him, do not scold him, do not demand anything from him, but at the same time they always share their wealth with him. inner world. Their role in the upbringing of a grandson is undoubtedly significant and important. However, not always the role of grandparents is unambiguously positive.

Often the older generation in the family spoils children with their excessive attention and excessive condescension. In the relationship of grandchildren with grandparents, one can often find various kinds of "underwater reefs". When competing with parents, grandparents may give gifts to their grandchildren in order to win them over to their side. The role of the grandmother in the family often not as simple as it might seem at first glance. As a rule, grandchildren mean a lot to grandparents (grandparents).

However, since the family is often a whole tangle of complex relationships and contradictions, the role of a grandmother in the family can be modified and deformed in every possible way. Sometimes adult children and their parents are connected very difficult relationship, and the nature of the influence of the grandparents on the child and the psychological climate in the family to a very large extent depend on these relationships. Experts, for example, note that one-sided and excessive dominance in family life mothers, and even more so maternal grandmothers, is a factor that increases the possibility of neurotic disorders in grandchildren.

Family psychologists distinguish two main types of distorted social role grandmothers, which most often arise in difficult family situations. These are the so-called "grandmother-rival" and "grandmother-victim".

The "victim grandmother" sees her role as a grandmother as central to her life. She takes on her shoulders the entire burden of educational and household chores, giving up leisure, friendly contacts and professional activity. Having made caring for children and grandchildren, about the family the meaning of her existence, excluding other aspects of her life, sacrificing them, this woman from time to time experiences a number of conflicting feelings, such as dissatisfaction with loved ones, longing, irritation, resentment for insufficient gratitude from children and grandchildren. Character traits the grandchildren of such a grandmother have dependence on her along with love, a habit of control and guardianship, difficulties in communicating with other children.

The “grandmother-rival”, unlike the “grandmother-victim”, combines her duties of caring for her grandchildren with work, she devotes her vacations and weekends to them. However, in her activities, there is a tendency, consciously or unconsciously, to compete with her daughter-in-law or daughter in becoming a better, more successful and successful "mother" to her grandson. On her part, there is a constant search for the mistakes and mistakes of the child's parents, while all successes in education are attributed to themselves. Grandchildren very keenly feel the conflict in the relationship of family members and either begin to blame themselves for this, feeling their inferiority, or use adult contradictions for their own purposes.

Every family is perfect unique world and each may have its own problems, but psychologists evaluate the role of grandparents in the development of a child's personality
extremely positive, almost invaluable. In the upbringing and development of a personality, one grandmother can play a more valuable role than a dozen of the most educated nannies, governesses and educators in kindergarten. The fact is that the connection that has existed for centuries between grandchildren and grandmothers is vital, and this is a mutual process. In addition, caring and attentive grandmothers do one very important thing: they pass on their accumulated experience. Communicating with them, children learn that their parents also have their own fathers and mothers - this is how the continuity of generations, tribal relations are established, seniority is determined.

At all times, the favorite holiday of the Russians was New Year, a chief grandfather Frost is the property of the country. Therefore, people who different years occupied the New Year's "ice throne", cannot but arouse interest. On the birthday of Santa Claus AiF.ru I remembered all the actors who in different years put on a fabulous image.

In 1929, no matter how paradoxical it may sound, the tree fell under the ban in the atheistic USSR. The leadership of the country saw in her main symbol Christmas. Only in 1935 did the traditional celebration of the New Year return to the lives of Russians. But the decree came out very close to the holiday, because everything was done on hastily. Because the look of Santa Claus was slightly sinister, and the name of the actor is not known.

In the biography of Mikhail Naumovich Garkavi, the role of Santa Claus was clearly not the main one, but it was he who became the first Santa Claus on the first New Year tree in the Column Hall of the House of the Unions in 1937. Harkavy worked brilliantly as always, delighting the children and convincing those in power of the success of the new undertaking.

Not much is known about Sergei Ivanovich Preobrazhensky. But it was thanks to him that Santa Claus became what he is now. Preobrazhensky was the main Santa Claus for 18 years.

In 1964, the fairy tale film Frost was released on the screens of the country, where the role of the winter wizard was played by actor Alexander Khvylya. By that time, he had on his account the heroic roles of Budyonny, secretaries of party committees, the image of the stern captain Gul from the Fifteen-Year-Old Captain, and many other works. In the image of Morozko, Alexander Leopoldovich turned out to be so organic that they decided at the top: “You won’t find the best Santa Claus for a Christmas tree in the Kremlin!”

If Alexander Khvylya was elevated to the throne of the “chief Santa Claus” by cinema, then his successor got himself a “kingdom” himself. First, Filippov was invited to the Christmas tree in the Kremlin as an understudy for Alexander Khvyli. There were a lot of understudies, but they all worked to Khvyly's phonogram (most of the performance took place under a previously made recording). Filippov insisted that a soundtrack be recorded with his voice. Then the actor made sure that he and Khvylya worked in turn. Roman Filippov played the role of Santa Claus on the main Christmas tree of the country for almost two decades.

When the official residence of Father Frost appeared in Veliky Ustyug in the 1990s, the position of the main Father Frost of the country also became official. A random person could not occupy such a high position. In addition, a major actor was required, not only in terms of talent, but also in terms of physical dimensions, with a powerful male voice and charm. The choice fell on actor Dmitry Nazarov, a theater star, also known for his numerous roles in television series.

Who today plays the role of the main Santa Claus of Russia is not known for certain. When journalists begin to pester the wizard with questions about who he really is, he logically answers: “Like who? Santa Claus, of course! According to information from sources close to reliable, Dmitry Nazarov resigned as the main Santa Claus. As his successor, the star of the series "Voronins" and the disaster film "Metro" Stanislav Duzhnikov is called.

The New Year is already approaching, and on the eve of it, my husband and I thought about whether to introduce our two-year-old son to Santa Claus. And if so, who better to entrust to play this role: dad, grandfather or guest actor, and how to give the child more pleasant experiences.

Our son is still small, he is only two. So everything new and interesting evokes emotions in him. Not always positive: he may be afraid of something unknown. Therefore, the main thing for us is not to make a splash, but to make a pleasant impression on the child.

Who to play Santa Claus

After serious thought, we nevertheless decided that, since the child is still small, it is not worth using the services of professionals - you never know, the son does not want the bearded Grandfather to congratulate him at all.

Grandfather - a good option, but he sees his grandson quite rarely and does not know exactly what exactly can scare or dislike the baby.

So it was decided to entrust the role to the pope himself. Firstly, he will definitely be able to sensitively react to the emotions and facial expressions of the child. Secondly, he is artistic.

How to give your child a pleasant experience

But, on one artistry you will not go far. In order for the first acquaintance with a fairy-tale character to go off with a bang, you need to come up with something that can remain in the child’s memory for a long time. And here are the moments we have identified for the preparation of the "impressive" Santa Claus.

He should be very kind, cheerful, and not particularly loud, as is usually customary. I think the kids are often afraid of the funny old man, because he “rumbles” so frighteningly.

2) Costume

Nothing without him. A red fur coat, a beard and a mustache are sold today, perhaps, in every supermarket. We will get the costume "by pull" - grandmother, music director, will bring it from kindergarten.

3) A bag with presents

I think a lot of kids love the moment their parents come home from the store to look in the bags for a treat. Our son is always in a hurry to look, and at the same time to drag the bags to the kitchen. And the bag of Santa Claus, in my opinion, should play the same enticing role.

4) Text

In my opinion, it will be great if our Santa Claus learns a couple of quatrains about winter, animals and kids. Only with the condition that the words in the verses are understandable to the child. For example:

Santa Claus sent us a Christmas tree
He lit the fires on her.
And the needles shine on it,
And on the branches - snow! (V. Petrova)

Old Santa Claus
With a white beard
What did you bring to the kids?
For New Year's Eve?
I brought a big bag
It contains toys, books,
Let them meet - good
New Years kids!

5) song

As usual, in exchange for a gift, Santa Claus asks the child to tell a poem or sing a song. My son is 2 years old, he is still far from poetry, but he still has some skills now. For example, he likes to show adults how he can jump “like a bunny” or make a “bridge”.

So, if Santa Claus asks him about it, the kid will most likely be happy to show what he is capable of.

6) Gift

Should definitely be. I don’t know yet what we will give the child for the New Year, but for sure something that he has long liked: a soft cat, a toy cash register or boxing gloves.

The gift will perfectly defuse the situation if the baby starts to be shy. So, if this happens, and it will be difficult to establish contact with the child “Grandfather”, a gift can be given immediately. After that, Santa Claus will definitely have a chance of success.

7) Santa Claus who came to visit little child should not be intrusive

That is, the baby does not have to be put on his knees and stroked on the head. Some children react very strongly to the invasion of personal space. strangers, so, in my opinion, for a start it is quite enough just to be with the child nearby. Moreover, there must be familiar faces in the room: mother, grandmother.

8) Training

Be sure about a week before the holiday, we will tell our son about Santa Claus and the New Year. We will show cartoons (“Father Frost and Summer”, “Umka”), see last year's photos by the Christmas tree. Let him not be surprised by the visit of such an unusual character.

Knowing that fun and a gift await him, the baby will be ready for the holiday, and, I think, he will be less shy of Santa Claus and get more pleasant impressions from communicating with him.

Will Santa Claus come to you on New Year's Eve?

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Every child dreams on New Year's Eve to meet Grandfather Frost, who will come to visit him, congratulate him and give him the desired toy. You can create a fabulous atmosphere for children on your own by asking a grandfather, dad or family friend to try on the role of Santa Claus.

Getting ready in advance

First of all, you need to believe yourself that you are Santa Claus. As they say, get used to the role. Children are attentive and very impressionable people, so even the slightest falsehood or insincerity will quickly be figured out. And first of all, your eyes can give you away. You will not confuse the familiar look of a loved one with any other. Therefore, if you need to play Santa Claus for children four years old and older, it is better to disguise yourself well. To do this, use a beard and thick eyebrows, and even better put on glasses - after all, grandfather is old and already sees poorly.

Also pay attention to your hands: wedding ring, watches, bracelets - everything needs to be removed. If there are tattoos or noticeable scars, look for mittens. Pay attention to shoes too. Santa Claus cannot come to visit in dad's shoes or house slippers. If there are no suitable felt boots, build covers for your shoes from cotton wool or some kind of fabric.

In the Mister Christmas collection you can find not only the necessary props for the role of Santa Claus, such as a cap and a bag for gifts, but also the gifts themselves: the symbol of the year, mechanical and soft toys, Railway, music boxes and more. And, of course, think in advance what you will say to your child. And even better - rehearse so that the child cannot recognize the native intonations of a strict dad or grandfather.

Follow the script

The most difficult thing in the role of Santa Claus is the script. It must first be invented, and then rehearsed. No need to memorize the role down to every word or use a cheat sheet, feel calm and confident. It would be nice to start your greeting with some verse.

I am the real Santa Claus
I brought you news
That the New Year is already on the way

And will be on your doorstep soon!
Are you waiting for a miracle? There will be a miracle!

After all, Santa Claus will not forget:
Everyone has a gift

Carefully packed in a bag
Tied up, packed brightly

After all, everyone is now waiting for a gift,
Miracles and fairy tales by January.
And this is all I give you!

Be sure to prepare several competitions, game moments in which you can involve not only children, but also adults for general fun. Riddles about winter, Santa Claus, forest animals, which children love very much, will help to defuse the situation. For each correct answer, you can give out small presents or tangerines, sweets. Well, and, of course, a symbolic round dance around the Christmas tree, or in the center of the room, if the green beauty is standing against the wall.

After all the songs are sung, the poems are told, and the gifts are distributed, it's time for Santa Claus to leave and dad (or grandfather) to return. For persuasiveness, say goodbye loudly to the child, taking from him a promise to behave well all next year. Go down to the first floor and exit the entrance - it is likely that your child will see you off with a glance from the window. Returning to the role of dad is also necessary competently. It's better - with some object in your hands: a cracker, fireworks or a loaf of bread - it doesn't matter. Another thing is important for the child to see that dad was busy just at the moment when Grandfather Frost himself came to visit his child!