DOMRADIO.DE: They are listed with us under the name “The triple Santa Claus”. Everyone knows who is meant. What do you do as Santa Claus? What is your commitment?

Nicholas “Klaus” Brune-Frehmann (disguises himself as Nicholas): My commitment to St. Nicholas usually looks like that of many other St. Nicholas who have a Christian connection. We go to the kindergartens or schools that give presents to the children, also dressed up as Santa Claus for events in the old people’s home.

I deliberately call it costumed because it is very close to the bishop’s habit and we don’t want to appropriate it, we just want to present it like a costume on a stage. We walk around a lot, give a lot of gifts, make children cheerful and happy.

DOMRADIO.DE: Will you switch places with Santa when you go to an event?

Brune Frehmann: Yes, it does happen that Santa Claus and Nicholas lie on top of each other. This is a topic that is no longer properly worked out in society either. Nicholas as Holy Bishop of Myra from southern Turkey naturally wore a bishop’s robe. He wore this pointed hat and the bishop’s crosier, which we know very well from Cologne, and a very extensively embroidered robe. We always wear that, it’s actually from the pool of paraments. This is what priests wear. So we borrowed that.

It’s definitely a beautiful thing. It is very colourful, very decorated and also represents something. We know how Santa Claus was confused with Santa Claus in a red coat. It’s all coming from some lemonade company and their promotional videos.

Ultimately, people are often confused. “That’s Santa Claus,” we often hear. But we can clear that up relatively quickly. Santa Claus, as the name suggests, comes at Christmas. Nicholas to Nicholas.

DOMRADIO.DE: What do you take away personally when it comes to Saint Nicholas? Is he more than just your namesake?

Brune Frehmann: In any case. Nicholas is actually one of our main saints, if not the main saint. Not only does he bring gifts, but he also brings tolerance and generosity. And he also shows the peacefulness that should be among people because he is not only the patron saint of sailors but also the patron saint of children.

DOMRADIO.DE: What can YOU teach today about the figure of Saint Nicholas and also give to the children?

Brune Frehmann: Children in particular should be told that this tolerance is there. That everyone, just as they are, has the right to be here, next to and with us and to celebrate with us. I don’t think there is a greater goal than tolerance. Tolerance is certainly the greatest thing that can be conveyed. This also distributes a lot of peacefulness in the world.

DOMRADIO.DE: Do you still have St. Nicholas appointments coming up?

Brune Frehmann: Unfortunately, I personally have to take a break. But the colleagues are all on the way to kindergartens and nursing homes. All of Cologne is full of Santa Clauses. Take a close look, from the tram, from the car. You will surely see one or the other.

Katharina Geiger conducts the interview.