27/12/1989
Wednesday, 27th December
Dear Diary, how exciting our stay in Finland has been during the celebration of Yule and Christmas!
Our adventure began in Helsinki, where we immersed ourselves in Finnish culture and learned about Yule traditions. At the National Museum of Finland, we discovered the history of the festival and how it was traditionally celebrated in honour of the sun goddess. Luna told us that during Yule, the Finns would light candles and torches to symbolise the returning light during the winter solstice.
After learning about Yule, we headed to Rovaniemi, the city of Santa Claus, where the magic of Christmas was everywhere. Santa Claus Village was decorated with bright lights and festive ornaments, creating a magical and cosy atmosphere. There, we met Santa Claus and shared our Christmas wishes with him while enjoying the snow and crisp winter air.
During our stay in Rovaniemi, Lucy, Cissy, Bella, Ro, Ra, Mir, and Theo came to see us to celebrate Yule in a traditional way with the burning of the Yule log and Christmas. The burning of the Yule log was a special moment, where we all gathered around the fire to share stories and wishes for the new year. The warmth of the fire and the company of our friends made the celebration unforgettable.
After spending the morning making the Yule wreath, we were excited to explore the local market to find some treats and gifts for our celebration. The air was filled with a festive energy as we strolled through the colourful stalls adorned with garlands and twinkling lights.
We stopped at a craft shop where they sold a variety of handmade products. Among the shelves decorated with carved wooden figures, we found a collection of magical creatures from Finnish mythology. I was amazed to discover figures of the Äijänpäivä, an elderly spirit said to grant wishes to those who find him in the forest on Yule Eve. Each figure was skilfully carved and hand-painted, capturing the essence of these mysterious nature beings.
I decided to buy an Äijänpäivä figure as a keepsake of our trip and as a symbol of the wishes I carried in my heart for the coming year. I felt a special connection to the story behind this figure and was excited to take it home with me.
After exploring the market, we headed to the place where the traditional Yule log burning would take place. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation as we gathered around the bonfire, which had been carefully built and decorated with spruce and holly branches.
As the afternoon turned to evening, the bonfire began to burn with a warm, bright glow. We sat in a circle around the fire, singing Yule songs and sharing stories while we waited for the moment to light the log.
When the time finally came, a murmur of excitement ran through the group. With a lit torch, Dad ignited the log, and soon the flames began to dance and crackle vigorously. The heat of the fire enveloped us, and the scent of burning wood filled the air as we watched in awe as the sparks rose towards the starry sky.
To our great surprise, something started moving among the branches of the surrounding forest, and you won't believe who it was, Diary! It was an Äijänpäivä, in the flesh! A real one! Dad was a bit worried because these creatures can be very dangerous if they feel challenged. It looked like a hunched old man with a very long white beard, but it had hair covering its body like a coat.
With a confidence I don’t know where I got from, I approached the creature and gave it the keepsake I had bought earlier, the figurine representing the same creature. It took it in its hairy hands and examined it from all sides as if inspecting it. After a few minutes, which in the deep silence felt like hours, it returned it to me and asked in a raspy, deep voice if I wanted a wish.
A thousand and one things went through my mind, but in the end, I couldn’t resist asking to see my mum one last time, to properly say goodbye to her. I told it, and the creature looked me straight in the eyes. Its eyes were such a light blue that I thought it was blind, but suddenly everything went black and… mum was there, right in front of me, she looked sad but much healthier than I had ever seen her before.
I cried, of course I cried, and she hugged me, she seemed unable to speak but feeling her, though cold, was immensely comforting. I told her everything that had happened, I told her I was trying to be happy again, for my loved ones, for her, and for myself, as she had asked in her letter. I told her about the drawings I made of her and the similarities I found between Dad and her. She smiled and never stopped hugging me.
It felt like both a lot of time and very little time had passed, but I knew deep inside that it was the end, I said goodbye to her and finally felt at peace. I will miss her, but now I can be more at ease. My vision slowly became blurry and suddenly I was looking at the almost white blue eyes of the creature, which gave a slight bow and disappeared in a whirlwind of snow.
It was, without a doubt, the most magical thing that has ever happened to me. Dad approached me, he had tears in his eyes and hugged me, apparently he also got to say goodbye to Mum.
Afterwards, the Yule log burning ended and we felt united as family and friends, sharing the tradition and spirituality of this ancient celebration. It was a reminder of the importance of community and connection with nature at this time of year.
After the Yule log burning, we celebrated Christmas with a traditional Finnish dinner, which included dishes like kalakukko (fish pie) and rosolli (beetroot salad). We enjoyed the food and the company, sharing laughter and special moments together.
During our stay in Finland, we also had the opportunity to explore the country’s nature and magic. We visited Nuuksio National Park, where we hiked through snowy trails and admired the beauty of the winter landscapes. Luna told us about the Haltija, nature spirits that protect the forests and the animals living in them. Although we didn’t see any Haltija in person, we felt their presence in the tranquillity and beauty of the surrounding nature.
In short, our Yule and Christmas celebration in Finland has been an incredible experience full of magic, joy, and unforgettable moments. I am grateful to have these experiences and share them with my friends and loved ones.
See you,
Goodbye.