Santa Claus outfit used in December Personal Archive/Zemilton Feitosa 🎅🏼 Every December, it occupies a special place in shop windows, shopping centers and, above all, in children's imagination. Dressed in red, with an impeccable white beard and a welcoming smile, Santa Claus becomes one of the most beloved characters of the year. But when Christmas is behind us and June arrives with the sound of the accordion and the smell of cooked corn, a curiosity arises: what does Santa Claus do during São João? ✅ Click here to follow the g1 PB channel on WhatsApp In Paraíba, the answer goes through the story of Zemilton Feitosa, a 69-year-old craftsman born in Sousa, in the Sertão of the state, and who has been giving life to the good old man for three decades. A Northeasterner passionate about the traditions of his land, he temporarily swaps red for chess, but continues with the same mission: spreading joy. “São João is as important in the Northeast as Christmas is for people in the South and Southeast,” he summarizes. With 30 years of acting as Santa Claus, Zemilton has become a well-known figure wherever he goes. The white beard and appearance reminiscent of the character make him recognized throughout the year. "Wherever I go, people call me Santa Claus. In the market, on the beach, anywhere. Children look and say: 'Santa Claus is on vacation'. I feel very proud of that", he says. Now on g1 A game that became a life mission Zemilton Feitosa has been Santa Claus for 30 years Personal Archive/Zemilton Feitosa The story began in 1995, when Zemilton lived in Campinas, in the interior of São Paulo. At the time, he was volunteering at a charity. Even without the traditional white beard, he already caught the attention of children. "They confused me because of my cheeks. My beard was black, but they still called me Santa Claus", he remembers. It was in that environment that he experienced a scene that would change his trajectory. A child approached him just after Christmas and made a complaint that he never forgot. “I'm mad at you because every year I ask for a little train and you give me a little car”, he heard. The spontaneity of the speech brought smiles, but it also awakened something bigger. Encouraged by the institution's management, he agreed to play the character at a year-end party. What was just a temporary experience turned into a lifelong mission. "I started and never stopped. As long as I have life, I will carry this forward", he says. Since then, he has dedicated a large part of his voluntary work to children with disabilities, the elderly and people in socially vulnerable situations. "Each year that passes, Santa Claus is more alive. Especially when you see the sparkle in a child's eyes. It's a feeling that never ends", he says. Zemilton Feitosa does the work of volunteer Santa Claus Archive/Zemilton Feitosa At São João the clothes change, but the mission continues Santa Claus in June, wears plaid and makes homemade bonfires Reproduction/TV Cabo Branco If in December Zemilton spreads the Christmas spirit, in June he dedicates his days to another passion: the artisanal lit bonfires that he produces by hand. Crafts emerged as an alternative to traditional wooden bonfires, which are increasingly restricted in urban centers. Using recyclable materials, he found a way to keep one of the most symbolic images of the June festivals alive. "It's a job done with great care. For me, it's a joy to see the result", he says. The bonfires are made from cardboard tubes discarded by clinics, reused television boxes, plastic packaging and other materials that are given new life by the hands of the craftsman. According to him, around 70% of the structure is made with recyclable material. Each piece requires hours of work. Some even use hundreds of small strips of cardboard to reproduce the details of wooden trunks. The project started simply, almost like a test. Over the years, it was perfected until it became a trademark of the artisan from Paraíba. "The greatest achievement is knowing that my work brings joy wherever it is. That's priceless", he says. Between the compassion of Christmas and the joy of Saint John Bonfires built by Santa Claus Personal Archive/Zemilton Feitosa Throughout the conversation with g1, Zemilton demonstrates that he has a special affection for the two most popular festivals on the Brazilian calendar. For him, each one awakens different but equally important feelings. "São João is joy, celebration and typical food. Christmas is more love, compassion and unity", he compares. Between one lit bonfire and another, between the red of Christmas and the colorful flags, he remains the same character that won over generations of children over the last 30 years. A Santa Claus who doesn't disappear when December ends. In Paraíba, he continues to be present throughout the year, celebrating traditions, spreading affection and proving that magic can have a northeastern accent and wear plaid during São João. *Under the supervision of Erickson Nogueira Zemilton during the Christmas period Personal Archive/Zemilton Feitosa Most watched videos from g1 Paraíba