’There Are All Sorts Of Goodies In Your Bag’

I think it is fair to say that Saturday morning, the most important event of the year happened in Pápa, at HDF Pápa Base Airport. No, the planes of the C-17 transport aircraft fleet did not arrive. Moreover, there wasn’t even a handover of a brand new investment worth billions of forints. All it was just a simple visit: in the morning of December 6 – before his well-known evening programme –, there was someone who found some time for this Transdanubian town and visited the military airport located in the outskirts; the best friend of every child, who is wearing a bright red ’uniform’ and a long, snow-white beard: Santa Claus.

And why it was the most important event of the year? There is a very simple answer to this question: because the hundreds of little children who were present said so unanimously…

The gates of the barracks opened up at ten o’clock in the morning, and hundreds of children were running to the airport to occupy the hangar of the barracks as soon as possible, which was furnished just for them this morning. Among them, there were the sons and daughters of professional and contracted soldiers, public servants serving at the Pápa base airport, moreover, the children of foreign – American, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish – military families who have arrived from the NATO corps operating the future C-17 fleet, the heavy air transporter, to Pápa for a longer period of service.

First there was a wild guessing going on. Everyone was whispering, twittering: wonder how Santa will arrive? By a supersonic fighter? A military helicopter with camouflage painting? Or his favourite vehicle, the sleigh pulled by reindeers who can even fly? Nobody knew in advance…

"Good morning, everybody! Good morning, Pápa Air Base!" – the commander of the Pápa base airport, Colonel Miklós Domonkos greeted the children and wished everyone a good time. The English greeting was a bit strange, but this way the children of foreign soldiers could also understand…

For the little ones, waiting was long, of course. Luckily enough, Éva Barabás, the popular television host made sure that everyone had a good time. She was talking and playing with the children waiting for Santa. There were many at the handicraft table as well to prepare various Christmas gifts. Some were folding cotton angels, others were cutting colourful sparkling ornaments from crepe paper for the Christmas tree.

Of course, the balloon clown was not bored either: he just kept on folding various figures, for instance swords, doggies, giraffes. The face paintes worked their magic and turned the brave volunteers into batmen, Dalmatians, or even tiger cubs.

Then suddenly, He turned up. And he did so in his distinctive style. Although there were many who were hoping that he would land right next to the hangar with his reindeer sleigh, there was a big surprise, for Santa arrived in a huge green all-terrain vehicle driven by the popular television host and sportsman László Palik, the Hungarian offroad champion himself. In the other seat, there was Defence Minister Dr. Imre Szekeres.

The massive car which amazed everyone is the vehicle of the Dreamteam, the offroad rally team of the Hungarian Defence Forces. The members of the team which is also known by the name ’Cheetahs’ were also present in the hangar of the airport and together with the little devils, they were helping Santa with the distribution of presents.

The little ones and Santa, who had arrived from a distant land, were greeted by Imre Szekeres. The minister said: he knows that it is unusual for foreign children that Santa brings presents on December 6 instead of Christmas, but for the Hungarians this is natural.

“I am glad that I could bring Santa Claus here in person. I am glad that he is here with you" – said Imre Szekeres after recalling the story of the ’real Santa Claus’, that is bishop Saint Nicholas.

Of course, Santa did not arrive empty handed to the military airport. Every child who came to the event received a huge Santa-package. Just like the song says: there were all sorts of goodies in his bag, red apples, hazelnut… No wonder that there were quite many who could not wait until they got home and opened the package in the barracks already to binge on chocolate, Christmas candy, and the rest of the delicious sweets.

After the children received their presents, Imre Szekeres said – answering Éva Barabás’ question – that he, too, used to be waiting for Santa to arrive excitedly. What is even more, he used to clean his longest boots in order to get more presents. Then one morning, he found a single jelly-filled Christmas candy in his boots…

Unfortunately, Santa Claus couldn’t stay in Pápa for long, he had to move on in just an hour. And even though many children tried to make him stay, finally they understood that he has a lot to do. When he set off, the happy kids kept talking for a long time. They told each other what they got and tasted. There were even some who declared that they saw the reindeer sleigh rising from next to the runway – where reindeers could graze on the grass which was still green –, and Santa set off for his long journey which lasts until the morning, during which he has to give a present to every child in the world.

Of course, the programme in the airport did not end after Santa said goodbye. After the tale and dances accompanied by music, performed by Görömbõ Kompánia, those who were interested could watch a Rubik cube show, then Rudi the clown invited the children to play together – for them, it was a truly unforgettable and unique experience in Pápa.