by Iida, age 9, asks Joulupukki why are you still called a goat when you look just like Santa?, about the Arctic Circle, and Finland’s Sami reindeer herders
Dear Joulupukki,
My name is Iida and I am 9 years old. I live in Rovaniemi, Finland, where the sun barely comes up at all in December, and my papa says we live closer to you than almost anyone else in the whole world.
First, why are you still called a goat when you look just like Santa?
Second, a geography question: what imaginary line crosses right through Rovaniemi?
Third, a school question about my country: why is Finland home to reindeer-herding communities like the Sami?
I left you gingerbread stars and milk.
Love, Iida, age 9, Rovaniemi, Finland, Rovaniemi, Finland
From the Desk of Joulupukki
Dear Iida, thank you for the treat, it was wonderful. Now, your questions.
Why are you still called a goat when you look just like Santa?
The name stuck around even as my appearance changed completely, a little nod to where the tradition first began.
What imaginary line crosses right through Rovaniemi?
The Arctic Circle runs directly through Rovaniemi, marking the point south of which the sun always rises and sets each day, and north of which you get the famous midnight sun in summer and long polar darkness in winter.
Why is Finland home to reindeer-herding communities like the Sami?
The Sami are an indigenous people who have lived in the far north of Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Russia for thousands of years, developing a deep knowledge of reindeer herding suited perfectly to the Arctic land and climate. Their culture and traditions remain an important and protected part of life in northern Finland today.
Hyvaa joulua, Iida.
Ho ho ho, Joulupukki
