Sun, sea and ... Santas? Father Christmases hold annual congress
People dressed as Santa Claus wave from a canal boat as they take part in the World Santa Claus Congress, an annual event held every summer in Copenhagen, Denmark, July 23, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Braving Europe's heatwave, more than 150 Santas from around the world donned their heavy suits and full beards at their annual conference in Denmark.
As the 61st World Santa Claus Congress kicked off in Copenhagen, many of the delegates - from countries as far away as Japan and the United States - took a paddle in the sea, to the amusement of local bathers.
The three-day event will see the Santas visit the Little Mermaid statue during a parade and go head to head in the Santa Obstacle Course World Championships.
A person dressed as Santa Claus uses a restroom during the World Santa Claus Congress, an annual event held every summer in Copenhagen, Denmark, July 23, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly
"Normally us Santas work alone," said Santa Ian Tom, 67, from Scotland, who is attending his sixth congress this year.
"This is like a big family. But a family you get on with."
For Santa Douglas, 60, from Washington D.C., attending his twelfth convention, it's the international feel of the event that keeps luring him back.
People dressed as Santa Claus rest while on a bus trip between events during the World Santa Claus Congress, an annual event held every summer in Copenhagen, Denmark, July 23, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly
"It's interesting how when meeting others their culture starts to rub off on you and yours on them. For example, a lot of the Santa suits now are not the traditional gray Danish one. They've gone more American, which in a way is a shame."
(Reporting by Emil Gjerding Nielson; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)
A child dressed as an elf walks along the waterfront during an event in the World Santa Claus Congress, an annual event held every summer in Copenhagen, Denmark, July 23, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew KellyA person takes photos of people dressed as Santa Claus as they meet at the Little Mermaid statue while they take part in the World Santa Claus Congress, an annual event held every summer in Copenhagen, Denmark, July 23, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew KellyA person dressed as a Christmas tree rests during a canal boat cruise during the World Santa Claus Congress, an annual event held every summer in Copenhagen, Denmark, July 23, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew KellyA man dressed as Santa Claus walks through the streets between events for the World Santa Claus Congress, an annual event held every summer in Copenhagen, Denmark, July 23, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew KellyPeople watch on from a passing canal boat at people dressed as Santa Claus for the World Santa Claus Congress, an annual event held every summer in Copenhagen, Denmark, July 23, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew KellyA man dressed as Santa Claus walks through the streets between events for the World Santa Claus Congress, an annual event held every summer in Copenhagen, Denmark, July 23, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew KellyPeople dressed as Santa Claus rest while on a bus trip between events during the World Santa Claus Congress, an annual event held every summer in Copenhagen, Denmark, July 23, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew KellyPeople dressed as Santa Claus arrive outside Christiansborg Palace as they take part in the World Santa Claus Congress, an annual event held every summer in Copenhagen, Denmark, July 23, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew KellyA man helps another man in a wheelchair as they are dressed as Santa Claus during the World Santa Claus Congress, an annual event held every summer in Copenhagen, Denmark, July 23, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew KellyA man dressed as Santa Claus records on his cellphone as he takes part in the World Santa Claus Congress, an annual event held every summer in Copenhagen, Denmark, July 23, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew KellyPeople dressed as Santa Claus walk along Nyhavn as they take part in the World Santa Claus Congress, an annual event held every summer in Copenhagen, Denmark, July 23, 2018. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly
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