IVORY COAST: SANTA CLAUS AND PRESIDENT HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY JOIN HANDS IN DISTRIBUTING CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.

Record ID: 183462

  • Title: IVORY COAST: SANTA CLAUS AND PRESIDENT HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY JOIN HANDS IN DISTRIBUTING CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.
  • Date: 22nd December 1971
  • Summary: 1. LV & CV Decorated tree 0.11 2. SV People bring gifts to official 0.29 3. SV Sweets laid out on tables in open 0.35 4. SV Children wait as others arrive 0.45 5. CV Presents on table 0.51 6. GROUND TO AIR.. Helicopter overhead 0.53 7. SCU President walks out as Father Christmas steps from helicopter and waves (3 shots) 1.12 8. SV & CU Father Christmas and President distribute gifts to children (12 shots) 2.00 Initials BB/1620 ES. 1626 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 6th January 1972 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST
  • Country: Ivory Coast
  • Reuters ID: LVA3O71NW83PUX6BJH4FIU9V040W
  • Story Text: Santa Claus stopped off in the Ivory Coast capital of Abidjan on Monday (20 December) where he helped President Houphouet-Boigny distribute Christmas presents. The most successful schoolchildren from all over the country were invited to the President's Christmas tree, where they met Santa Claus. To Cover the ground between the north of Finland and the continent of Africa, Santa abandoned his usual sleigh and reindeer in favour of a helicopter.

    SYNOPSIS: The dream of all children came true for some in the Ivory Coast capital of Abidjan on Monday.... they received their Christmas presents early. School children from all over the country who had done well in class were invited to Abidjan to receive special presents from a Christmas tree in the garden of President Houhouet-Boigny's residence.

    Bags of sweets, chocolates and cool drinks were handed out when all the children had arrived.

    It was a happy moment for the children ... a happiness which increased with the arrival of Santa Claus by helicopter. Santa Claus had discarded his usual mode of transport. He was met by President Houphouet-Boigny, who was to help distribute the presents.

    When the big moment came, the names of the children were read out, and one by one they stepped forward to receive their presents. First president Houphouet-Boigny, then Santa Claque spoke to the children and gave thee their gifts.... packages of all sizes and shapes.

    This ceremony has become an annual event, a goal for the school pupils of the Ivory Coast to strive-for in their school exams and term work. It's one of the highest status symbols for the children... and also for their parents.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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