With elves and reindeer: at Father Christmas's house
In the Arctic Circle, in the far north, that's where he lives: Santa Claus. And you can meet him. In the Father Christmas village in Rovaniemi, the world's most famous bearded man and his entire clan await visitors of all ages. We provide tips and facts about the Finnish Father Christmas and his village.
Beloved legend: a visit to Father Christmas
In Finnish, he is called Joulupukki: according to legend, the northern European Father Christmas was born on the Finnish mountain Korvatunturi and now lives in Rovaniemi. He is married to Joulumuori and has many little helpers: elves, reindeer and Christmas elves who work all year round on presents that can then be delivered at Christmas. The name Joulupukki means ‘Christmas goat’ in Finnish and is derived from the tradition of the Yule goat. This goat, made of straw, is an important symbol of the Christmas season and used to bring the presents.
A village like no other: ‘SantaPark’
Every year, thousands of visitors come to Rovaniemi to be enchanted by Father Christmas Village. The ‘SantaPark’ has existed since 1998, where not only Father Christmas can be found every day, but also his wife Joulumuori. It has reindeer and alpacas, an indoor playground, numerous small stalls with Finnish handicrafts and traditional cuisine and, in winter, giant snowmen. To get an audience with Santa Claus in his office, you sometimes have to expect a bit of a wait. However, he patiently accepts gift requests and is of course available for a souvenir photo.
Mail from all over the world: Dear Santa ...
Right next to Santa's office is Santa's main post office, a real office run by Posti, the Finnish postal service. Postcards or letters can be sent there to loved ones at home, bearing the official stamp and greetings from Santa Claus. If desired, letters and cards can be stored and sent on their way shortly before Christmas. Of course, it also works the other way round. If you would like to write something nice to Father Christmas or send him your wish list, send the post to: Santa Claus Main Post Office, 96930 Napapiiri, Finland.
A word with Mrs Santa Claus
Fancy a chat with Mrs Santa Claus? She has lots of exciting stories to tell about Lapland and her famous husband. She welcomes her audience to the Santa Claus Reindeer Resort on the grounds of Father Christmas Village, where she is supported by her elves. Also on show, of course: reindeer. In winter, you can book excursions, safaris and Northern Lights tours with the animals here. Santa's café offers Finnish pastries, gingerbread and hot and cold drinks.
Snow-white pleasure
First ice skating, then sliding, then into the ice labyrinth and later off to the igloo bar - all this is possible from December, when the ‘Snowman World’ in SantaPark awakens from its summer slumber. A fascinating winter dream that will not only amaze children. The rustic huts are surrounded by powdery white and are guarded by large snowmen; from 6 December until 17 March.
Moss is a big deal: visit to reindeer & co.
Not only llamas, alpacas and reindeer have a cosy home at ‘Elf's Farm Yard’. Ponies, donkeys, sheep, rabbits and goats also look forward to being stroked - and to special food. Moss, for example, is considered a delicacy for reindeer. You can buy it in bunches at the ‘Elfengarten petting zoo’ and feed it to the animals. The best thing is that you can even take reindeer and alpacas for a walk or ride them.
Little Christmas - as early as November
Christmas doesn't just start on Christmas Eve in Finland. For many people, the best time of the year starts as early as November. Pikkujoulu’, which means “little Christmas”, is celebrated everywhere. Small Christmas parties are held in kindergartens, at work, in clubs and at home, with (often joking) presents, karaoke, baking biscuits and making Christmas decorations. The traditional Finnish mulled wine glögi, made from red wine or berry juice and flavoured with cinnamon, cardamom, almonds and sultanas, is a popular accompaniment.
Ham is a must: the Finnish feast
Christmas Eve is also the most important part of Christmas in Finland. Not only Father Christmas is eagerly awaited, but also the festive meal with the whole family. The traditional Finnish Christmas table would be unthinkable without the Christmas ham called Joulukinkku, which has to be marinated for several days in advance together with the rind. On Christmas Eve, it is placed in the oven to cook, then coated with a breading of sugar, mustard and breadcrumbs - and then baked for a while. It is served with casseroles made from potatoes, carrots or swedes.
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