Stock Photo - PRODUCTION - 29 November 2022, North Rhine-Westphalia, Cologne: The wooden statue of St. Barbara stands in the entrance area of the RAG at the Zollverein colliery. Saint Barbara is the patron saint of miners. St. Nicholas, who fills boots with sweets on December 6, is very popular with children. In isolated parts of the country, however, the elderly gentleman once had real competition - from St. Barbara, who brought chocolate as early as December 4. (to dpa ""St. Nicholas is too old and male? There is an alternative!"") Photo: Roland Weihrauch/dpa. - Cologne/North Rhine-Westphalia/Germany