- Title: Santas take the plunge at annual Christmas-in-July conference
- Date: 25th July 2017
- Summary: COPENHAGEN, DENMARK (JULY 25, 2017) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** SANTAS IN THE SEA SANTAS POSING AND THEN JUMPING BACKWARDS INTO WATER SANTA RINGING BELL SANTA SPLASHING WATER SANTA HENRIK FROM DENMARK, WEARING STRIPY UNDERWEAR, COMING OUT OF WATER (SOUNDBITE) (Danish) SANTA HENRIK FROM DENMARK, SAYING: "I swam in the sea and I do it at the conference every year regardless if it's required or not. The water was very cold and also wet but one has to do it and then we get the official Santa swim certificate." SANTA SQUEEZING WATER FROM HIS SANTA HAT ONTO ANOTHER SANTA'S HEAD VARIOUS OF SANTAS IN THE WATER POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS MRS. SANTAS ON THE BEACH (SOUNDBITE) (English) MRS. SANTA ELIZABETH FROM DENMARK, SAYING: "This year we have to choose whether the tree should be red or purple or green and if Christmas Eve should fall on the 24th, or the 26th or in January or perhaps in July." VARIOUS OF SANTAS SANTA HANDING OUT GIFTS SANTA SHAKING HANDS WITH CHILDREN COUPLE AND BABY WITH SANTA HATS
- Embargoed: 8th August 2017 13:34
- Keywords: Santa congress summer Santas swimming Christmas preparations Denmark Copenhagen
- Location: COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
- City: COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
- Country: Denmark
- Topics: Human Interest / Brights / Odd News,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA0016R7UQFT
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:It's summertime in Denmark but Santas from around the world are already planning for the festive season, with more than 150 gathering in Copenhagen to share some early Christmas cheer.
The annual World Santa Claus Congress, now in its 60th year, has drawn attendees from a dozen countries, most sporting traditional red coats and white beards despite the warmer-than-winter weather.
The three-day event, always held at the Bakken amusement park, will see the Santas parade in the streets of the Danish capital, bathe in the sea and enjoy a herring tasting. Some will also take to the runway at a fashion show.
Christmas is celebrated on different days in different countries, with Advent and other traditions extending the festive season through most of December and January.
Another hot topic at this year's congress is the color of the Christmas tree, said Santa Elizabeth from Denmark.
"This year we are deciding whether the tree is to be purple, red or green... Green is my favorite color," she said. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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