Switzerland is another country with several traditions and languages.
So, it is not surprising there are several different St. Nicholas
traditions.
In German-speaking areas Saint Nicholas is known as Samichlaus and he rides upon a white horse
and is followed by the wicked Ruprecht.
In the French-speaking area Saint Nicolas is known as Père noel and he leads a donkey carrying
baskets full of gifts and he is followed by the sound of Père Fouettard's
chains.
In the Italian quarter the tradition is much more reverent when
they celebrate the arrival of St Nicholas’s relics in the Italian city of Bari
in the year 1087.
But all the celebrations have in common the great colour music and
excitement generated by the enthusiastic revellers.
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