Joulu Avaus

Sunday, November 20 was the official opening of the Christmas in Joensuu. The event is celebrated by the coming of Santa Claus (Joulupukki), Mrs. Claus (Muori), Rudolph (Petteri), accompanied by a childrens chorus, fireworks and the lighting of the Christmas lights in the city center. Mrs. Claus led the crowd in a few exercises and Santa had a long interview with the MC of the event. We learned that Santa enjoys a nice sauna after the rigors of Christmas Eve. And in case there is any question as to where Santa lives, he lives in Lapland. He has his home and workshop there. There was a large crowd on the tori, with many children riding on the shoulders of their fathers. A light snow added a fine touch to the evening. During the Christmas season stores are open on Sundays as they were in the summer. Other times of the year they are closed on Sundays. The decorations in the stores are almost quaint--reminiscent of the 1950's in America.

So Christmas is officially underway, the stores are full of Christmas decorations, sales and crowds of people just as the USA.

Merry Christmas to all from Santa's homeland, Finland.