by Alva, age 9 from Gothenburg, Sweden, asks Santa his Swedish name, being Sweden’s second largest city, and its busy harbor.
Dear Santa, my name is Alva, and I am nine years old. I live in Gothenburg, Sweden, where my farmor says our harbor is one of the busiest in all of Scandinavia.
Dear Alva, a harbor that busy makes for one of the liveliest stops on my entire Nordic route, your farmor picked a truly bustling hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
What is Santa called in Swedish? My kusin calls you something different than what I hear in movies.
In Swedish, I am most often called Jultomten, Alva, a name with deep roots in old Nordic folklore. Your kusin has been calling me by my proper Swedish name all along.
My farmor says Gothenburg is the second largest city in all of Sweden. Is that true?
It is true, Alva, Gothenburg ranks as Sweden’s second largest city, sitting proudly along the west coast. I always enjoy that lively, glimmering harbor on my way to your rooftop.
My farmor says Gothenburg has always been an important port for trade with the rest of Europe. Is that true?
It is true, Alva, Gothenburg’s harbor has served as an important gateway for trade for centuries, ships coming and going from all over the world. That kind of steady, hardworking connection to the wider world is really something worth admiring.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Alva Lindqvist
Gothenburg, Sweden
P.S. Will you tell my kusin both names are correct?
Already confirmed, Alva, right here in writing.
