Guest Blogger: Christina Tsikalis
Destination: Helsinki, Finland
I am half Greek and half Finnish. I’ve been living in Finland for the past few years and have come to love Christmas time. Greek Christmas carols may say that Santa Claus (Saint Vasilios) comes from Caesarea (in Cappadocia - modern Kayseri), but I am pretty certain he comes from Finland!
That’s why Helsinki, its capital, makes sure it’s dressed up festively ahead of time: The Christmas lights on Alexanderinkatu, the most central street, are turned on at the end of November, and the most famous corner window display of the Stockmann shopping mall is decorated – differently each year - driving young and old crazy.
The Christmas Tree on Alexanderinkatu street
The famous Stockmann shopping mall
This year's window display at Stockmann's
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The sun rarely appears and only for a short while. The cold is bitter, but the spirits are high, with a glass of glögi in one hand, staring at the festively decorated shop windows.
Gradually, during December, all the Christmas markets make their appearance.
The largest Christmas market in Helsinki is the one by the Cathedral in the city center. It has 120 stalls with crafts, warm food, and many other seasonal treats.
Wherever you find yourself in Helsinki, you will come across these small houses, full of tasty cheesecakes, baked almonds and chestnuts, organic marmalades and juices, knit gloves, handmade candles, wooden toys, and traditional Finnish goods.
The Christmas Market in downtown Helsinki
Helsinki is filled with decorated shopping malls, and that alone can put you in a festive mood, even if you don’t want to. You cannot leave, of course, without doing some shopping!
The most important Christmas celebration in Finland, however, is that on Christmas Eve. That’s when Santa Claus brings his presents. So we all make sure we are “well-behaved,” in preparation for this day.
The festivities begin at noon, always surrounded by the family and by very good food, starting with kinkku (pork), which has been cooking in the oven since the crack of dawn.
And after you’ve burst from too much eating, you’re waiting for Joulupukki (Santa Claus) to come knocking on your door. If he’s too busy, his tiny goblins take on the task of leaving a sack of presents at your doorstep.
Candles, seasonal plants, like the Poinsettia, and the little handmade gingerbread houses create the right atmosphere in order to celebrate Christmas with your family.
Traditionally, Christmas Eve is devoted to the dead, and a visit to the cemetery is customary. During the evening, the cemeteries, all covered with snow, are transformed into stunning, luminous seas of candles.
As for New Year’s Day, citizens and visitors alike have been celebrating it on Senate Square since 1932, with the accompaniment of live music.
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Your Hop - Christmas in Helsinki
12 December 2014
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