Today we will go with you to the place where begins the fairy tale - in Finland. Christmas celebrations here, as in many European countries, prevails over the New Year's celebration. And, of course, celebrate it according to the Gregorian calendar - 25th December.
Homeland Joulupukki
holiday itself in this country began to celebrate only when Christianity became the main religion in Finland. But at the same time, many of the traditions of celebrating "tied" to the pagan rites. For example, instead of the traditional goat who brought gifts to the children, there was a Santa Claus, who was named Joulupukki (by the way, "pukki" in Finnish means "goat").
small Christmas
Christmas in Finland last for a whole month. During this period, in addition to traditional preparations, great attention is paid Finns charity. Since the end of October and through November the women get together in the evenings and are engaged in the preparation of Christmas gifts, which will then be sold at the Christmas Fair, and the money transferred to the charity.
For women-needle women join their families, and the result is a small holiday, which is called "small Christmas". On these evenings, people have fun, organize various contests, joke, be sure to lay the table, comes Joulupukki and gives all gifts. On a small Christmas Finns allow yourself a drink, but in the very Christmas almost do not drink alcohol.
On the first Sunday of Advent (Christmas waiting time) Children receive a special calendar that It marked the days until Christmas, and the hidden job by doing that the baby will get the promotion delicacy. Adults also have a "calendar" - a candle.
So, on the first Sunday of Advent, one purple candle is lit, the second - the first and the second, on the third Sunday - the first, second and third in the last - the first, second, third and fourth. It turns out a kind of ladder of the candles. However, today, natural candles are rarely used in the country, often in place of the residents put on windowsills electrical "ladder" or the stars. Thus, at the beginning of the holiday all the windows of the houses are decorated with glowing Christmas lights.
«Black Christmas»
In general, decoration lights in Finland - a kind custom. This was first done in 1848 in the city of Piatersaari. But by 1949 this tradition was "reached" and to the country, the capital Helsinki. Before Christmas in Finland was a lot of snow, but now in connection with global warming on During the holidays this winter miracle falls a little, which is why local festival called "Black Merry Christmas. "
St Lucy's Day
And the Finns in the run up to Christmas is a holiday, which they borrowed from the Swedes - is St Lucy's Day, which is celebrated on December 13. Let me tell you a legend: Once upon a time there lived a woman named Lucia. She was the wife of a Swedish fishermen. One day, when her husband went to sea, he broke a big storm and carousing strength extinguished lighthouse. The woman climbed the highest rock coast with a lantern in his hand, to show my husband the way home. Demons, seeing this, killed the poor and put out the fire. But her spirit remained on the rock and continued to cover the sailors the way home. Much later, the legend was replaced by a legend with a religious basis: lived in Syracuse Martyr Lucia, that of faith in Christ was blinded and killed.
Today, in Sweden and Finland every year December 13 general voting choose the girl who will represent Lucia. She must have long hair. Her dress up in a long white tunic (a symbol of purity and innocence) povyazhut red zone (the symbol of the bloody death), to lay his head wreath with candles (Wreath - halo and holiness, and the candle - light, which was carrying a girl), and will work together to sing traditional hymns. And then made a great feast.
Ate and himelli
December 23 every Finn brings home the main symbol of Christmas - fir, which is often decorated with a garland Flags of all countries (People's Friendship symbol) and Himmel - special geometric straw figures. And just before Christmas on a festive fir light candles.
On Christmas Eve, December 24, literally everyone in the country is committed to the sauna to meet great holiday clean. At noon on December 24 comes a kind of lull. Around 17:00 the family go to church for the evening Christmas service. Then visit the graves of deceased relatives, bring them fir wreaths and light candles.
On Christmas Day, December 25, the Finns are always at home, they consider this holiday purely family. On this day you will see almost no one on the streets. December 26 is also a public holiday and that's when the streets and expanse holiday begins. Previously, the Finns was decided to ride on a sled, they are now just go on a visit or a walk on the festive streets of cities.
New Year and... rabbit ears
New Year is celebrated in the country on a smaller scale. Families gather at the festive table, give each other a gift. Not without Joulupukki - he and his assistants goes home and carries gifts to children. Children, in turn, sing for him, read poetry and escorted to the door, because his grandfather could not stay long, because he was waiting for other kids.
One day, back in 1925 there was a sensational news in the Finnish newspapers: it appears that Father Christmas lives in Lapland, in particular hill that looks like rabbit ears - this design helps Joulupukki better hearing request children.
But you and I do not have to crawl with maps and compass by the Finnish mountains. We just write him a letter and send it to the address: Joulupukin kammari, 96930 Napapiiri, Rovaniemi, Finland. And who knows, maybe at least one New Year's wish to be fulfilled... Holiday greetings!
