Hull in print

In Hull's sister city of Reykjavik, people believe in 13 Santas, who are all said to be descendants of an ogre.
Each Santa has an unusual name, according to his mischievous ways. One is known as the "Door Slammer", for example, and another is known as "Candle Beggar", because he takes candles. Another is "Meat Hooker", because he tries to run off with the roast.
One by one, the Santas start visiting Icelandic homes on December 12th, and by Christmas Day, they've all visited.

Szczecin, Poland

Szczecin-Ducal castle, Poland. By tradition, a place is set at the Christmas table for a homeless person or lonely stranger

Learn the Crimbo lingo:
The words below mean "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" in Polish.

Hay is spread under the tablecloth as a reminder of the Christmas manger story, and a place is set for a lonely stranger or homeless person who is traditionally invited in for the feast.
The main feast takes place on Christmas Eve - and marks the end of Advent, which is the 12 days leading up to Christmas, in which people give up eating rich food.
Families gather around the table for a hearty meal consisting of 12 courses, including Polish specialities with ingredients such as beetroot, cabbage, sausage and mushrooms.

Freetown, Sierra Leone

From the beginning of December, shops in Hull's twin city lower the prices of goods to ensure poor people can afford to buy gifts for their families.
Carols are sung outside homes for two weeks leading up to Christmas.
On Christmas Day, services are held in churches. Some churches give away toys for all children who attend on the day.
Life is tough in war-torn Sierra Leone, and traditionally there is a chorus everyone in Freetown sings, which is "Happy Christmas me nor die oh. Tell God tenki me nor die oh" – which means "Happy Christmas, I am alive. Thank God I am alive".
Boxing Day has a carnival atmosphere, with dancing and processions in the streets.

Niigata, Japan

Learn the Crimbo lingo:
the following Japanese writing means: "to all friends in Hull, wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."'.

In Japan, there is no official celebration of Christmas, as less than one per cent of the population is Christian.
But there is popular and widespread observance of Christmas, largely because of Japan's Christmas industry that exports decorations and baubles to countries all over the world.
As the Christmas industry grew, the Japanese became more interested in the Christian celebration and began to absorb some of the customs into their own way of life, including Christmas trees and turkey with all the trimmings.
But the main focus is the New Year celebration. Early in the morning, Niigata people go to the beach to watch the sunrise. Children wear kimonos and families enjoy special kinds of sushi, which is raw fish, and rice cakes called mochi.

Raleigh, USA

Like much of the USA, Raleigh is so multicultural that there are countless ways of celebrating Christmas.
But many people in Raleigh share the tradition of placing decorated fir or spruce Christmas trees in their homes. Presents are left around the tree or in stockings hung from the fireplace, ready for Christmas Day.
Cookies are normally left for Santa Claus, and carrots for his reindeers.
On Christmas morning, cinnamon rolls or coffee cake are served for breakfast, and for dinner there is typically ham or turkey, followed by plum pudding.

Learn the Crimbo lingo: "Prettige kerstdagen en een gelukkig nieuwjaar" – is how you say "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" in Dutch.

Rotterdam, Holland

For children in Rotterdam, the most important day in the Christmas celebration is December 6, known as St Nicholas' day, or Sinter Klaas's day.
The night before - on St Nicholas Eve - children go to parties and play games, and before going to bed, they leave clogs out to be filled with presents.
Legend has it that if they leave hay and carrots in clogs for Sinter Klaas's horse, they will be left some extra gifts.
Two-and-a-half weeks later, on Christmas Eve, Dutch children also receive some smaller presents from Santa Claus (a different character to Sinter Klaas), when he visits from Lapland.
Christmas Day is a quieter affair, with a church service and family meal.

Message from the Lord Mayor

"On behalf of the people of Hull, may I send very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to everyone in our sister cities around the world.
"Hull is very proud of these links – and the long and lasting relationships we have made.
"Not only do our bonds raise the profile of all our cities, but they bring huge benefits for all concerned by way of cultural, trade and tourism opportunities."

Lord Mayor of Kingston upon Hull, Cllr Trevor Larsen.


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