Apparently, St. Nicholas Day is one of the most popular Czech holidays. On December 5th, children are visited by three figures-- Svaty Mikuláš, or St. Nicholas, anděl, an angel who represents good, and čert, a devil who represents evil. These figures form a procession marking the beginning of the Christmas season. The streets are filled with devils rattling chains, St. Nicholases with white cotton beards, long robes, and bishops' staffs, and angels with paper wings on their way to visit small children in their homes.
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St. Nicholas quizzes the children about the previous years' behavior. Sometimes parents inform St. Nicholas about a child's bad deed before they arrive, which makes for a better, more believable experience during the visit. It helps when the figures are typically friends of the family, too. The devil threatens bad children with his chains and sack. If they are not good, they will be tied up and thrown into the sack and brought down to hell with him. The angel then pleads on the child's behalf. Perhaps if the child sings a song or says a poem to St. Nicholas, he will reward them. Good children receive stockings filled with tangerines, nuts, chocolates, and small gifts. It is said that bad children get old potatoes or coal in their stockings, though it seems this rarely ever happens.
The loud noises I heard in school were from the devil. The smaller children were visited by the three figures in their classrooms. The screeching and screaming were a result of the devil's threats. During lunch, everyone received some fruits, nuts, and sweets at the school canteen!
St. Nicholas Day reminds children that they need to behave before Christmas arrives in a few more weeks. Though it was quite scary for small children, it was a rather interesting and surprising day for me!
Oh, I also found this video that describes St. Nicholas Day by a Czech adult reminiscing about his childhood. Watch the first 2.15 mins: Mikulas
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