PRESS RELEASE

Montreal, November 16, 2009 - During the month of December, young and old alike are invited to come meet St. Nicholas, Lucy, Befana, and Santa Claus at Pointe-à-Callière, the Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History. While visiting the archaeological remains, children will meet these four Christmas characters who will explain how the holidays are celebrated in their homelands.

A fantastical, theatrical tour!
Visitors of all ages, led by an interpreter-guide, will set off to meet these crowd-pleasing characters. Along the way they’ll meet St. Nicholas, with his golden cane and red cassock, originally from Turkey. He is well known to European children as the patron saint of schoolchildren and protector of children, and brings them gifts.  “Believe it or not, I’m the ancestor of your Santa Claus,” says this age-old figure. Young Lucy, for her part, tells them about her country, Sweden, where the holiday season starts with a celebration of St. Lucy’s Day.

Not far away, an old woman named Befana is waiting for them on her doorstep. She was once visited by the three Wise Men, and since then has been looking for the “bambino Jesus” in her native Italy. But watch out! If the children at your house have been naughty during the year, she'll leave them lumps of coal!

The final stop on the tour is with Santa Claus — in his red suit and long white beard —, probably the most popular and well-known Christmas figure of them all. Santa tells his story and explains how he manages to deliver so many gifts around the world in a single night. Our brief world tour comes to an end with wishes of peace and joy… and a few treats.

This activity takes place on the weekends of December 5-6, 12-13, and 19-20, as well as on December 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31, 2009, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please allow approximately 45 minutes for the tour. The last tour in English is at 3:00 p.m. Number of participants for each tour are limited.

This is an activity for the whole family and is included in the price of admission to the Museum.

The Museum is subsidized by the city of Montréal.

Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History
350 Place Royale
Old Montréal, Quebec
H2Y 3Y5
Tel.: (514) 872-9150
Website: www.pacmuseum.qc.ca

Photographic material available from croberge@pacmusee.qc.ca