Part 1 of 5 · freeIntroduction
A Greek bishop, a pagan benefactor and an advertising illustration blend together to shape Santa Claus. It all begins with Nicholas of Myra, born in 270, a bishop who gives his personal wealth to those who need it most. He becomes the patron saint of children and sailors.
Over the next 1,600 years, the legend takes shape. The midwinter customs of Northern Europe bring families together to celebrate and feast. A sleigh, eight reindeer, a trip down the chimney: a poem shapes the way people wait for the season. Then an advertising campaign packages the legend as a product. The result is the Santa Claus everyone knows.
The rest is in the Sophia app.The remaining parts, the open-book quiz and the full glossary. Free to start; Premium unlocks everything.
- 2Sinterklaas meets Father Christmas
- 3A poem and a cartoonist
- 4Coca-Cola fixes the image
- 5A legend written by many hands
Open-book quiz8 questions whose answers are in the text.
Glossary7 terms explained in a tap.
30 languagesThe same course, from French to Japanese.
