Finland

from Mr Kaasila's 5/6 Grade in Keskuskoulu Lieksa Finland in co-operation with Mrs Hirvonen's English class of 6(5/6)

Our Christmas differs from that of some other countries, because we get to open our presents already on the 24th of December, on Christmas Eve. We decorate the Christmas tree already in the morning and have lots of fun. Many people go to the graves in the afternoon and put there lots of candles. I spend the Christmas on our summer cottage and I get to swim in freezing ice cold lake after Christmas sauna. During Christmas holidays we often visit relatives. We eat ham, rice pastries and rice porridge. On the morning of 25th of December, the Christmas Morning some people go to church. It is still dark as the service is held before the sunrise. Sometimes people go to church in a horse sleigh. In the evening (sometimes even late at night) we open the presents. I want to deliver the presents in our house. Every Christmas is special. On our Christmas holiday (usually from 22nd of December till 2nd of January) we go skiing, downhill skiing and spend a lot of time outside unless it is -25 (Celsius) and then we stay indoors and play games and visit our relatives after boxing day. The Christmas Eve and Christmas day all shops and restaurants are closed and people are at home or on cottages with their loved ones. Merry Christmas to everyone on this site from all of us.

On December the 6th people in Finland have a special day - our Independence Day. We celebrate it the 85th time, so the Independence paper was signed on the sixth of December 1917. Naturally this day is a holiday.

Finland has been ruled by Swedes and Russians during the history. In 1917 it was the Russians that were governing our territory. Later we were in war with the Russians (1940's).

During that time people were very poor, the countryside had no electricity. If there were enemies around people were not able to phone for help or warn the others in the village which we could do nowadays. But they found one way of giving a signal to those outside, those who were Finns. You can think of plain window in your mind. One candle in the window was the sign of warning but TWO candles meant free way, no enemies at least inside.

From that time we Finns have lit two blue and white candles(the colours of our flag) on the windowsills on Dec. 6th to give light to the dark night and to remember those who fought for Finland's freedom. Most often the candles are the only light in the house from 6pm till 9pm. Quite many go to the cemetaries to light candles even there. It is a magnificent sight: thousands of candles in the dark night. We don't have fireworks this evening.

During that evening we have a fine dinner to celebrate among the family and relatives. Perhaps there is a Carelian pot roast with onions and carrots and the dessert could be different berries like lingonberries ( they are like cranberries), blueberries or cloudberries. Many bake cakes and gingerbread ready for this day.

There is also one tradition which is on TV. Our president has always a great party to which all the representatives of the foreign countries in Finland come as well as those in the Finnish Parliament. Besides these official members there are people that have had an invitation due to something special like a good athlete, singer, artist, mother, father, businessman or a representative of a line of trade: farmer, deerfarmer, fisherman, shopkeeper etc. Today the talk of the day is women's fashion and our President Tarja Halonen's dress: what kind will it be? It takes at least one hour and a half for her to shake hands with each of the guests. After that they'll have coffee and cakes. There is an orchestra playing nice oldies and newer music for those that want to dance. And nearly all want. It seems it is really warm inside. Hankerchiefs are used frequently!

(Note: This year, there were over 2000 guests and it took 2 1/2 hours for the President to shake hands with all of the guests.)

Since we celebrate in the winter we stay indoors most of the evening though it is wonderful to take a stroll outside to see the candles in the windows.