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#REDIRECT [[Christkind#Czech Ježíšek]]
'''Ježíšek''' (the [[Child Jesus]]) is a cultural [[Christmas]] figure popular in the [[Czech Republic]]. It is also known as '''Ježiško''' in [[Slovakia]] and as '''Jézuska''' in [[Hungary]].
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There is no accurate description of the Ježíšek. He has been depicted as a baby, toddler, and young lad. Some even consider him simply as an abstract figure.<ref>[http://www.prague.net/blog/article/52/czech-santa Prague.Net. “Czech Santa.”]. Retrieved on August 21, 2013.</ref> According to tradition, the Ježíšek makes his appearance on [[Christmas Eve]]. After families have the traditional Czech dinner of fried [[carp]], [[potato salad]], [[fish soup]] or [[pea soup]], he quietly enters homes, sets up a traditional [[Christmas tree]] and leaves presents for children.<ref>[http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1996-12-24/news/9612240278_1_santa-claus-grandfather-frost-czech-republic Rocks, David. Chicago Tribune News. “Czech Kids Find Santa Claus A Bit Confusing.”] Retrieved on August 21, 2013.</ref> Little boys and girls open their [[gift]]s on 24th of December.<ref>[http://prague.usembassy.gov/ststephen.html Embassy of the United States: Prague/Czech Republic.] Retrieved on August 21, 2013.</ref>
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==History and Cultural Significance==
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The tradition of the Ježíšek has been observed by the Czechs for more than 400 years.<ref>[http://www.praguepost.com/tempo/6911-local-holiday-tradition-is-tested-by-global-forces.html Scott, Thomas. Prague Post. “Local Holiday Forces is Tested by Global Forces.”] Retrieved on August 21, 2013.</ref> This is partly due to the large population of Catholics during that period. It was [[Martin Luther]] who coined the term during the 16th century, an attempt to provide a suitable name to their figure other than [[St. Nicholas]].
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In 1989, after the [[Velvet Revolution]] that overthrew the communist regime, local entrepreneurs began introducing [[Santa Claus]] to the country. He appeared in shop windows and town gatherings. Czech children were surprised to learn that their toys were given to them by an old man instead of the figure they grew up with. Despite the growing presence of Santa Claus, the Ježíšek continues to be a popular tradition.
In December 1996, 80 Santa Clauses held a rally at the heart of traditional [[Prague]] in another attempt to make the Western figure popular with the children.<ref>[http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1996-12-24/news/9612240278_1_santa-claus-grandfather-frost-czech-republic. Rocks, David. Chicago Tribune News. “Czech Kids Find Santa Claus A Bit Confusing.”] Retrieved on August 21, 2013.</ref> It had moderate success, which eventually paved the way for Zachraňte Ježíška’s petition to actively protect local Christmas traditions.<ref>[http://www.praguepost.com/tempo/6911-local-holiday-tradition-is-tested-by-global-forces.html Scott, Thomas. Prague Post. “Local Holiday Forces is Tested by Global Forces.”] Retrieved on August 21, 2013.</ref>
At present, belief in Ježíšek is upheld in modern Czech society, despite having the lowest rates of religious affiliation in the world.<ref>[http://www.praguepost.com/tempo/6911-local-holiday-tradition-is-tested-by-global-forces.html Scott, Thomas. Prague Post. “Local Holiday Forces is Tested by Global Forces.”] Retrieved on August 21, 2013.</ref>
==See also==
*[[Christkind]], the same tradition in German-speaking countries
==References==
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==External links==
*http://praguemonitor.com/2012/12/14/je%C5%BE%C3%AD%C5%A1ek-or-santa-claus
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[[Category:Christian folklore]]
[[Category:Fictional Christian saints]]
[[Category:Christmas characters]]
[[cs:Ježíšek]]
[[hu:Jézuska]]
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