Ded Moroz (Russian: Дед Мороз, [dʲɛt mɐˈros]; Russian diminutive: Дедушка Мороз, Dedushka Moroz; Slovak: Dedo Mráz; Polish: Dziadek Mróz) or Morozko (Russian: Морозко) is a legendary figure similar to Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, and Santa Claus who has his roots in Slavic mythology. The tradition of Ded Moroz is mostly spread in East Slavic countries and is an important part of Russian culture. At the beginning of the Soviet era, communist authorities banned Ded Moroz. Nevertheless, he soon became an important part of the Soviet culture. The literal translation of Ded Moroz is Grandfather Frost.