Finland and the country of Santa Claus
CHRISTMAS is a feast prepared at length and in November created the first decorations and “Pikku Joulu” noëls small, are already valid. From the beginning of December, Pikku Joulu are organized within firms and schools, but most often it is a feast entr’amis. These pikku joulu are part of the Finnish tradition since 1920. It eats a lot (especially if it happens in a restaurant), including confectionery, Piparkakut (cupcakes shaped about Christmas) and they drink the famous Gloggy (mulled wine). In general, after a plantureux meals, games are organized (a bit like those held in the summer camps), and then we dance until a late hour (12-4h00 all depends on the operator). This festival is a good way to unwind, drinking a lot. I strongly to a tourist does little for Finland, participate in a Little Christmas, during a cruise. These are the worst! I remember a Little Christmas that we celebrated in the countryside … At the end of the feast, a very respectable politician was in an advanced state of intoxication. He took refuge under the table of the room to eat! The Finns Finnish do not sing much, unlike suèdophones. This is a personal comment (Nadine). In the United States, Finno-Américains have preserved the tradition, in their own way.
For the church, this is the first Sunday of Advent, which opens officially the Christmas season. But there are already many organized events before that. Every year, Santa Claus makes his entrance official in Helsinki. This year, Santa Claus has come to Rovaniemi on November 24 and arrived in steam train station in Helsinki. Then, accompanied by his wife, his elves and his reindeer, Santa has paraded through the streets and lit garlands of the city. The festivities are launched.
The month of December will be dotted with important dates, including 6: celebration of the independence of Finland, and the 13: celebration of Saint Lucia. This feast comes from a popular tradition in Sweden, introduced in Finland in 1950 by the Swedish minority. It is to be elected among ten young girls, the Finnish National Lucie (voted by the public and it is often an act of charity).
Lucia makes his first appearance on Dec. 13, she is dressed in a long white robe and head covering a crown of candles lit. During the rest of the month, she will visit the hospitaux, schools, celebrations of Christmas and delivers a message of light, hope and charity.
To wait for the big day, all children in Finland décomptent day from December through their schedule of Advent.
On the eve of Christmas Day, we went to the cemetery, when a parent has disappeared. This tradition takes place at 18 h00. You put a candle on the grave of the deceased. It is also an opportunity to pay tribute to the soldiers who died in Finland during the Winter War.
On Christmas Day:
As for Christmas … This is a whole program. In general, there must be a large clean-up to Christmas, prepare Christmas dinner, during a good week before the party.
On 25 and 26 December are public holidays in Finland. On 24, the stores will be opened only in the morning. Christmas is a family celebration par excellence.
On Christmas day, we eat, took the sauna (to wash his sins of the year, this is my interpretation – Nadine), it listens to the speeches of Peace Christmas broadcast live from Turku, then, we receive family members, drink coffee. It decorates the Christmas tree. Then, “JOULUPUKKI” (the name of Santa Claus in Finnish) comes to 18 h00. It is a very long wait for the children … And for some adults, too. It distributes gifts on December 24. Santa or one of his elves distributes gifts!
In Finland, there are people (students or others) who act as Joulupukki, and just distribute gifts at home. To hire a Joulupukki, it is necessary to read the small ads in the newspaper or on the display, and there’s even a Santas who speak french!
And once gifts unpacked, the feast can begin.
The Christmas meal is varied and there are traditionally: rosolli: salad with carrots, beets, eggs, herring, pickles, with a cream sauce.
Herring prepared with different sauces.
Pig Christmas with mashed potatoes, mashed carrots, mashed turnips.
Porridge Christmas with a coulis of prunes.
This is the traditional menu. There are alternatives. For example, we eat foie gras, instead of herring. The pig may be replaced by a turkey, salmon …
On 25 December generally rests. On Christmas Day happens in the family, in contrast to Saint Etienne on 26, it is customary to visit his relations, friends.
In Finland, it sends a lot of greeting cards for Christmas! It distributes calendars with the dates for sending them. Now, e-mail and laptops compete mail! And the sellers of greeting cards!
Santa receives thousands of letters from all over the world entier.Bien on, Joulupukki responds to each of his correspondents. (In the language of the country) It is possible to send a letter to Santa, visit Rovaniemi
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