by Aino from Rovaniemi asks Santa about decorating, learns about the Arctic Circle, and hears about the Finnish Christmas peace tradition
Dear Santa, my name is Aino and I am ten years old. I live in Rovaniemi, Finland, and my äiti says we practically live in your backyard, which makes my classmates very jealous.
Dear Aino, your äiti is not exaggerating in the slightest. I can practically see your street from the workshop window.
Santa, I have three questions.
My first question is, do you like decorating for Christmas? Our whole town puts up lights so early that some neighbors start complaining it is too soon, every single year.
I love it, Aino, and I firmly believe it is never too soon. A little extra light in a dark winter never hurt anyone, and Rovaniemi in December glows like a jar of fireflies from above.
My second question is about the Arctic Circle. My teacher drew a line on the map and said it goes right through our town. Is that true, and does it mean anything special?
It is entirely true, and it is one of the reasons Rovaniemi holds such an official claim to my hometown title. The Arctic Circle marks the point where, for part of the year, the sun barely sets or barely rises, which explains a great deal about your very unusual summer bedtimes.
My third question is about Christmas peace. My grandfather says every year a mayor reads something out loud in Turku and the whole country stops to listen. What is that about?
That is the Declaration of Christmas Peace, a tradition in the city of Turku dating back to the Middle Ages, read aloud every December 24th, asking everyone to celebrate the season peacefully and with goodwill. I find it one of the loveliest traditions anywhere on my route, an entire nation pausing together, on purpose, for kindness.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Aino Korhonen
Rovaniemi, Finland
P.S. Can I visit the workshop sometime? I promise to be quiet.
You already have an open invitation, Aino. Quiet is optional. Mittens are not.
