6533b85efe1ef96bd12bf565

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Święty dzieci i dorosłych. Wizerunek świętego Mikołaja w wybranych utworach dla dzieci i młodzieży

subject

description

Saint Nicholas is one of the favourite heroes of hagiographic literature for children and youth. He is the most recognizable saint both for them and adults. He fi ts into the world of a child through his goodness and especially the gifts that he gives to children. Not surprisingly, the authors of poems and tales from the fi rst half of the 20th century emphasise this aspect of the activities of the saint. His annual returns to earth initiate a joyous time for children, heralding the Christmas holidays and a period of goodness. In modern short biographical poems and prose tales, the authors present the life of the hero from birth to death, which allows them to show the transformation of the protagonist, the process of growing up to holiness. Using accessible and clear language, they talk about the life of St Nicholas, his deeds and miracles as well as the gift-giving tradition. They always try to place the hero in a contemporary setting and refresh his image by introducing an adult interlocutor who acts as an expert. And although in contemporary literature there are two equally established images of the saint–the real Saint Nicholas and Father Christmas (Santa Claus) dressed in costume–both teach the same: living a good life, which amounts to the joy of giving and sharing with others.