Santa Claus – Secularization and Santa Claus – Secularization and GlobalizationGlobalization

Cultural Cultural GeographyGeography

Secularization

• Secularization can denote the transformation Secularization can denote the transformation or broadening of a religious into a secular or broadening of a religious into a secular symbol. Santa, or Saint Nicolas, was symbol. Santa, or Saint Nicolas, was originally associated with the Christian originally associated with the Christian celebration of the birth of Christ. Today, celebration of the birth of Christ. Today, around the world, Santa has been adopted around the world, Santa has been adopted by many people as a symbol of winter by many people as a symbol of winter celebration with no reference to the birth of celebration with no reference to the birth of Christ.Christ.

Globalization

• Globalization describes an ongoing process Globalization describes an ongoing process by which regional economies, societies, and by which regional economies, societies, and cultures have become integrated through a cultures have become integrated through a globe-spanning network of communication globe-spanning network of communication and execution. Globalization is usually and execution. Globalization is usually recognized as being driven by a combination recognized as being driven by a combination of economic, technological, sociocultural, of economic, technological, sociocultural, political, and biological factors. The term can political, and biological factors. The term can also refer to the transnational circulation of also refer to the transnational circulation of ideas, languages, or popular culture through ideas, languages, or popular culture through acculturation.acculturation.

Korean postmen drive away on their Korean postmen drive away on their delivery bikes for a gift-giving event at the delivery bikes for a gift-giving event at the

Central Post Office. Central Post Office.

A group of runners warm up before A group of runners warm up before the annual Santa Speedo Run. the annual Santa Speedo Run.

Guests at Europa park, one of Europe's Guests at Europa park, one of Europe's most popular theme parks, pose for a most popular theme parks, pose for a

group photo. group photo.

Runners participate in a sponsorship Runners participate in a sponsorship event at an open-air ice stadium in event at an open-air ice stadium in

Budapest, Hungary.Budapest, Hungary.

Joschi, a seven-year old retriever, waits Joschi, a seven-year old retriever, waits with competitors before the start of a with competitors before the start of a

charity run in Hamburg, Germany. charity run in Hamburg, Germany.

White Beluga whales perform in a White Beluga whales perform in a Christmas show at the Hakkeijima Sea Christmas show at the Hakkeijima Sea

Paradise aquarium in Yokohama, Japan.Paradise aquarium in Yokohama, Japan.

A participant in the 63rd annual A participant in the 63rd annual Christmas bathe frolics in shallow Christmas bathe frolics in shallow

waters in Nice, France.waters in Nice, France.

More than 100 men and women wait to More than 100 men and women wait to rehearse their performance as St. Nick rehearse their performance as St. Nick

during a meeting of Berlin's Santa Claus during a meeting of Berlin's Santa Claus actors. actors.

School children wearing Santa Claus School children wearing Santa Claus masks work in their classroom in Siliguri, masks work in their classroom in Siliguri,

India.India.

In Rust, Germany guests at Europa park In Rust, Germany guests at Europa park wave to a camera from the roller coaster. wave to a camera from the roller coaster.

Santa's Stage Their Own Tour de Santa's Stage Their Own Tour de FranceFrance

the Albany Society's annual Santa the Albany Society's annual Santa Speedo SprintSpeedo Sprint

Santa was used Santa was used here as part of a here as part of a

campaign to campaign to encourage people encourage people

to get annual to get annual checkups. This checkups. This

doctor declared doctor declared the big man "fit for the big man "fit for

duty" but did he duty" but did he really pass the really pass the

physical?physical?

Soccer SantaSoccer Santa

Santa is skydiving to promote a Christmas Santa is skydiving to promote a Christmas festival near Sydney, Australiafestival near Sydney, Australia

Korean Female Santa SchoolKorean Female Santa School

Santas take over MoscowSantas take over Moscow

Santa in AdvertisingSanta in Advertising

Commercial Merchant’s SantaCommercial Merchant’s Santa

Air Force SantaAir Force Santa

Sacrilegious SantaSacrilegious Santa