by Vaino, age 8 from Rovaniemi, Finland, asks Santa about Santa Claus Village, the city’s post-war rebuilding, and its global visitors.
Dear Santa, my name is Vaino, and I am eight years old. I live in Rovaniemi, Finland, where my isoaiti says our whole town had to be rebuilt from scratch after a war a long, long time ago.
Dear Vaino, your isoaiti is right, and I always admire how beautifully your town rose right back up afterward, stronger than ever.
Santa, I have three questions.
Is there a Santa Claus village? My cousin visited one here in Finland and brought me a postcard.
There absolutely is, Vaino, Santa Claus Village sits right there in Rovaniemi, a real place where children can visit my office and even cross the Arctic Circle line marked right on the ground. Your cousin’s postcard came from a very special spot indeed.
My isoaiti says Rovaniemi was almost completely destroyed during a war and had to be rebuilt entirely. Is that true?
It is true, Vaino, Rovaniemi was burned down during the Second World War and rebuilt afterward, designed in a clever shape resembling reindeer antlers when viewed from above. I always admire that kind of thoughtful, hopeful rebuilding.
My isoaiti says visitors come from all over the world just to see Santa Claus Village here. Is that true?
It is true, Vaino, people travel from every corner of the globe to visit Rovaniemi, hoping to feel a little closer to the magic of Christmas. That kind of shared hope, traveling far just to feel that spark, is really touching to witness every single year.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Vaino Korhonen
Rovaniemi, Finland
P.S. Do you ever get tired of so many visitors stopping by your village?
Never, Vaino, every visitor brings their own little spark of wonder with them.
