How the trolls celebrated Christmas in their own way. Christmas tours in scandinavia: wonderful variety
Where else to spend Christmas if not in Scandinavia? Where the very embodiment of the celebration lives - Santa Claus or Yluppuki, as Finnish children call him. Christmas in Scandinavia- most important holiday years, which are very fond of adults and, of course, children. Each of the countries of the Scandinavian Peninsula has its own, special view of how to celebrate Christmas.
During the centuries-old existence of Scandinavia in its various parts, many traditions have developed that have become an integral part of the holiday. Christmas tours to Scandinavia will give you an extravaganza of a real fairy tale.
Finland is a country of a thousand lakes. The "Month of Christmas" is how the Finns call December. On December 24, at noon, a Christmas world is announced across the country, followed closely by law enforcement officials. In December, the whole country is transformed, streets, houses, city squares are decorated - everything sparkles with lights and beckons Christmas tinsel... The traditional New Year celebrations in Finland are similar to those in Europe. But only here you can visit the fairy tale. Spend Christmas in Scandinavia and don't forget to drop by Lapland and see old Santa at his residence. He, I suppose, has already been waiting, and gifts are ready in the fabulous workshops.
Santa Claus lives on a hill called "Mount Ears", so he hears the Christmas request of every child. Gnomes help him sort letters, send gifts. By the way, you can write to him at: Santa Claus, 96930, Napapiiri, Finlandia, 99999.
Christmas tours to Scandinavia also include a visit to Denmark, the birthplace of the storyteller Andersen. Christmas night in Denmark will light up for you with thousands of candles. At least two of them are lit in every house. One is on the windowsill, and the other is on the festive table. You will not see a working TV in any house; all channels are officially disconnected across the country so that people spend as much time as possible communicating with each other.
Winter tours to Scandinavia also offer many options for outdoor activities. You are expected cross-country skiing, not by the generous winter sun and crystal fresh air.
Together with this material, they usually read:
It so happened geographically that the northern capital of Russia - St. Petersburg is located on the coast of the Baltic Sea. This is where almost all cruises to Scandinavia start. The prices are quite reasonable, so don't hesitate to go!
Going to christmas trip on the countries of the Scandinavian Peninsula, be sure to visit Norway. Perfect timing arrival in the country - under New Year but visiting Oslo will be just as impressive during the festive week.
Scandinavian cruises are a whole string of Nordic countries- so similar, and at the same time so different. Each of them has something to surprise you! Each is looking forward to new tourists who will be able to appreciate all their charms and beauty.
If you need a visa to Finland, don't wait. It is quite simple to issue a permit to stay in the country on your own, the main thing is not to get into the high season, when there may be queues and rush jobs.
Planning to spend Christmas in Scandinavia? Take a look at our pictures of Christmas in Scandinavia and learn about local Christmas traditions. All Scandinavian countries have individual traditions and their own unique ways celebrate the holidays. Let's take a look at each of the countries:
1 - Christmas in Sweden:
In Sweden, Christmas begins on Saint Lucia. Saint Lucia Day is celebrated on December 13th. In Sweden, houses are decorated with red tulips for Christmas! Christmas Eve is called Julafton in Swedish. After a festive Christmas dinner, someone dresses up as a Christmas gnome (Tomte) believed to live under the floorboards.
2 - Christmas in Denmark:
In Denmark, the Danish mischievous elf Nisse makes fun of people around Christmas time. On Christmas Eve, many Danish families leave rice pudding or porridge for him so much he likes. Children are not allowed to look at the tree until Christmas dinner (known as Juleaften), and her parents secretly decorate with homemade trinkets.
Norway also has an elf named Nisse, but the gifts are delivered by the goat Julebukk (in Norwegian). The Julebukk idea is very old and probably known from the time of the Vikings. There is a special Norwegian holiday cookie called Sand Kager. In the afternoon, children go from house to house asking for treats and treats.
Continue Reading: Christmas Traditions in Norway!
4 - Christmas in Finland:
Finnish Christmas traditions have a lot to do with those of its neighbor Sweden. But there are also such Christmas traditions that you will never guess!
Continue Reading: Christmas in Finland!
Iceland has many old traditions of celebrating Christmas. In Iceland, not 1, but as many as 13 Icelandic Santa Clauses! The origin of these "Deov Morozov" goes back centuries, and each of them has its own name, character and role. For a special local tradition Icelandic kids put their shoes on the windowsill on December 12th. If they were good whole year, one of the Icelandic "Santa Clauses" leaves a gift, and bad kids get potatoes!
Continue Reading: Christmas Traditions in Iceland!
Although geographically not part of Scandinavia, Greenland is Danish territory and has many Christmas traditions similar to other Scandinavian countries. Did you know that Greenland has to import all Christmas trees, and uses whale skin in traditional celebration Christmas?
Continue Reading: Christmas in Greenland!
December month:
Since your holiday trip to Scandinavia will happen in December, you should also find out what happens in December besides the Christmas holidays - for example, what to expect from the weather, what clothes to bring with you when other local holidays are scheduled.
Read about Scandinavia in December and the annual holidays and festivals.
The beautiful house on the corner of the street was brightly lit on Christmas Eve. Lit there tall tree decorated with shiny stars, candies and apples; candles in lush candlesticks were burning on the table, and the children were unimaginably quiet whenever something creaked or rustled in the hallway. Suddenly the Christmas Goat entered the room and, as usual, asked:
Are there kind, obedient children here?
Yes! There is!
Here's how! - exclaimed the Christmas Goat. - Since the children here are kind and obedient, no one will be left without a gift. But, alas, this year I have two times less gifts than last!
Why? - the children screamed in chorus.
I'll tell you about this, - promised the Christmas Goat. “I came from the Far North, where I looked through the doors of many poor hovels and saw many, many small children who would not even have a piece of bread on Christmas Eve. That's why I gave them half of my gifts. Did I do the wrong thing?
Yes, yes - right, how kind you are! - the children shouted. At first, only Fredrik da Lotte was silent, as suddenly they felt completely deprived. After all, Fredrik used to almost always receive twenty gifts, and Lotta - thirty. And now they only get half.
Did I do the wrong thing? the Goat asked for the second time.
Then Fredrik, turning on his heels, sullenly replied:
What a nasty Christmas this is! The trolls have a better Christmas than the one you have saved for us!
And Lotta, in turn, roared and exclaimed:
So I will get only fifteen gifts? Even the trolls will have a hundred times better Christmas this evening!
Here's how! - answered the Christmas Goat. “If so, I’ll take you to them at once!
And, seizing Fredrik and Lotte by the arms, he dragged them along, although they resisted with all their might.
How they raced, how they flew through the air!
Before the children had time to come to their senses, they were already drowning in the snow in the middle of the endless forest. It was terribly cold and a blizzard was snowing, so that one could hardly make out in the darkness the tall spruces standing around, and quite close in the forest one could hear the howling of wolves. However, the Christmas Goat did not have time to wait, and he soon rushed off again: he still had to visit a great many children this evening, which is much kinder than Fredrik and Lotte.
They began to scream and cry, but the louder they screamed, the closer the ring of howling wolves squeezed around them.
Come on, Lotta! - Thinking again, Fredrik called, - we must try to find some hut in the forest!
I think I can see a faint light in the distance among the trees! Lotta exclaimed. - Let's go there!
This is not a light, - explained Fredrik, - it's just pieces of ice that glisten in the darkness on the trees.
I think I can see a high mountain ahead, ”Lotta said. “Isn't it Mount Rastekais, where Sampo-Loparenok galloped on Christmas night on the back of the supreme wolf?
What are you talking about! - answered Fredrik. “Rastekais is seventy miles from our house. Let's go! We will climb to the top of the mountain, from there it is better to look around.
No sooner said than done! They made their way forward through the high snow drifts, through the bushes and fallen trees, and soon came to the mountain. There was a small door visible, and something like light was shining through the cracks in the door. Fredrik and Lotte moved towards this world, and to their greatest surprise they immediately realized: after all, this is Mount Rastekais, and they fell into the hands of the trolls! But it was too late to turn back, and besides, the wolves were so close! They were almost peering through the cracks in the door when the children slammed the door behind them. Fredrik and Lotta stopped in fear and saw before them a large hall where the trolls were celebrating Christmas. There were probably many thousands of them, but they were all in a gray robe and very tiny, barely one tall, wrinkled and very nimble. That is, about the same as in the tale of Sampo Loparenka. The trolls were not afraid of the dark, for instead of candles they kept fireflies frozen to death and stumps of rotten stumps that glowed in the darkness. But when the trolls wanted to arrange a particularly bright festive illumination, they stroked the back of the big black cat so that it sparkled all over, and then many shouted:
No, stop, stop, it's already too light, none of us can stand it!
After all, all trolls are somewhat peculiar: they shy away from the light and they feel uncomfortable when someone sees them as they are. That is why the grand feast was given, because the trolls noticed that the days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer as the year draws to a close. And then the trolls again thought (as they always think at Christmas time; after all, you so willingly believe in what you most desire) that in the end the day will disappear altogether and a solid night will come. And so they were again so sincerely and cordially delighted that they began to dance in the bowels of the mountain and celebrate Christmas merrily, in their own way! After all, they were all pagans to the last, and about no best christmas had no idea.
It soon became apparent that the trolls were not at all cold. On a frozen winter night, they treated each other to ice candies, and before taking them in their mouths, they blew on the ice so that they were not too hot for them. There was also another great fern and spider leg treat. And the Christmas tree was all made of ice crystals, and one of the old housekeepers played the role of the Christmas Goat.
In this year, the fierce giant Mountain King did not have the trolls on Rastekays, since after he burst near the priest's estate in Enar, no one knew what became of him. But many believed that he moved to Svalbard in order to rule a pagan country and flee as far as possible from Christians. He left his kingdom in the North now to the King of Sin and Gloom named Mundus, who was sitting here in the middle of the hall.
Next to him is a troll queen named Karo (although this name sounds like dog name). And they both had long, long beards.
They gave each other Christmas gifts, as is the case with all other peoples on earth. King Mundus presented Queen Karo with a pair of stilts, so high that, standing on them, the queen became the tallest and most noble woman in the whole world.
Queen Karo gave King Mundus candle scissors, with which they cut the wicks of burning candles, and so huge that he could cut the wicks of all the candles in the world with them, and by cutting them, he would extinguish the candles. Many would like to receive such candle scissors as a gift from the trolls for Christmas!
But then King Mundus ascended to his throne and began to hold a truly fateful speech before the audience. He haughtily announced to the trolls that now the end of all world will come. Now shadows and gloom will forever hover over the whole country, and the world should be ruled by the trolls!
Then the trolls screamed with all their might:
Hooray! Hurray for our great king Mundus! Hurray for our beautiful Queen Karo! Hooray! Hurray for the eternal dominion of Sin and Darkness! Hip, Hip, Hip! Hooray! The king asked:
Where is my supreme scout? I sent him to the highest peak of the mountain to scout out, is there anywhere else in the world at least some streak of light?
A spy appeared and said:
Lord king, your power is great! Everything is drowned in darkness!
Where is my spy?
And the spy appeared.
Lord King, - he said, - far, far away at the edge of the sky I see completely weak streak like the twinkling light of a star as it emerges from a black cloud.
And the king commanded:
Go back to the mountain top!
A little later the king asked again:
Where is my spy?
And the spy appeared.
Master king, he said. - The sky is cloudy from a heavy snow cloud hanging there, and I no longer see a faint strip of light.
The king commanded:
Go back to the mountain top!
A little later the king asked again:
Where is my spy?
And the spy appeared.
But then the king saw that the scout was trembling all over and seemed completely blind.
The king asked:
My faithful scout, why are you trembling? And why are you blind?
The scout replied:
King, the cloud has dispersed, and the star shines in the firmament more and brighter than all the other stars. Therefore, I tremble, and at the sight of her I went blind!
The king asked:
What does it mean? Is not the Light now perishable? Has it not extinguished, and the power of Darkness is not eternal?
However, all the trolls, silent and trembling with fear, stood around, and not one of them answered.
Finally, someone from the crowd said:
King, there are two children of men standing at the door here. Let me ask them, maybe they know more ?!
The king commanded:
Call the children here!
And immediately Fredrik and Lotte were dragged to the royal throne, and one can imagine how badly they felt! Seeing that the children were afraid, the queen said to one of the old housewives who stood around her throne:
Give the poor children a little dragon blood and dung beetle peels. Let them feast on, they need strength to open their mouths!
Eat and Drink! Eat and Drink! - the housewife urged the children.
But the children had no desire to eat the peel of dung beetles and drink dragon's blood.
The king addressed them:
Now you are in my power, and I can turn you into ravens or into spiders. But I want to ask you a riddle, and if you guess it, I will order you to take you - safe and sound - back to your home. Would you like to?
Be this way, said the king. - What does it mean if in the middle of the city, on the darkest night, when all the Light has gone out, and the Darkness and the trolls rule the world, suddenly the Light appears again? A star is visible far in the East, and it shines brighter than all other stars, threatening to overthrow all my power! Tell me, children, what does this star mean?
Lotta replied:
You raise this star on Christmas night over the city of Bethlehem in the land of Judea and illuminates the whole world.
The king asked:
Why does it shine so brightly?
Fredrik replied:
After all, our Savior was born tonight, and he is the Light that illuminates the whole world. And from this day on, the Light will begin to come, and the days will become longer again.
The king on the throne began to tremble violently, and he asked again:
What is the name of the Owner of the Light and the King who was born that night and appeared to save the world from the power of Darkness?
Jesus Christ, son of God!
Before they had time to utter these words, the mountain shook, and a gusty wind swept through large hall and overturned the royal throne. The star shone over the darkest gorges and crevasses; and all the trolls suddenly disappeared, like shadows or smoke, and there was nothing left on Rastekays except a Christmas tree made of ice, but it also began to flicker and melt. And high in the air were heard angelic voices, they sounded like the music of a harp.
The children covered their faces with their hands, not daring to look up, and they were attacked by something similar to a dream that comes when you are very, very tired. And they never learned more about what happened next in the bowels of the mountain. When they woke up from sleep again, brother and sister were each in their own bed, a fire was burning in the stove, and old Kaisa, who usually woke them up, stood by and hurried:
Get up quickly, you have to get to church!
Fredrik and Lotta sat down and looked at Kaisa in bewilderment. Maybe she's as tall as an aln, too, and she has a beard, and she's going to offer them a little dragon blood and dung beetle peels! But instead of these delicacies, they saw an already set coffee table, where fresh Christmas buns lay on a tray. After all, on Christmas morning, children are treated to coffee, although at other times they do not. And outside the door of the house bells sounded, people rode in long rows to the church, lights were on in all the windows, but the church shone brightest of all.
Fredrik and Lotta looked at each other, because they never dared to tell Kaisa that they were at Christmas with the trolls. Maybe she would not have believed them and made fun of them, saying that they slept all night in their beds.
You don’t know this, and I don’t know, and no one really knows how it all happened. But if you nevertheless know this, and I know it, then we will pretend as if we did not know it. And if, after all, no one knows this, then no one also knows whether you know it. And if I know this, and now you also know that I know what no one knows, it would be nice to know what you know, and if you know more than I know!
Only one thing I know, namely, that eternally disgruntled children always - sooner or later - fall into the hands of the trolls. There they are presented with ice floes, dragon blood and dung beetle peels instead of wonderful gifts which they neglected at home.
Fredrik and Lotta have never been able to forget Christmas at the trolls'. Not only did they lose all the Christmas gifts, they were ashamed of themselves, yes, they were so ashamed that on Christmas morning they did not dare to raise their eyes in church.
It was light and beautiful there, she went downstairs, and lit all the candles, and the star of Bethlehem shone in the cheerful eyes of all the good children. Fredrik and Lotta noticed this, but still did not dare to raise their eyes. They decided to become good children too. Have they kept their oath? I don’t know, but I readily think so.
You will meet them, ask them about it!
Each country celebrates Christmas in its own way. Traditions change over time, some flow into others, some of them are borrowed from neighbors, but there is a special "national spirit of Christmas" in almost every region of Europe. Russian New Year's traditions are very similar to how Christmas is celebrated in Scandinavia, however, for most Europeans, the rules adopted in our country and among northern neighbors are rather unusual, and often considered absolutely insane.
Marzipan pigs.
Marzipan pigs - this is the kind of gift the Norwegians and Swedes give to each of the guests who find almonds in a specially prepared Christmas porridge.
Glogg.
Nothing raises like that festive mood like a mug of glogg boiling on the stove. The traditional Scandinavian winter drink is a mixture of wine and port with spices like cloves, cardamom and cinnamon, which give the brew a divine scent and more. best taste... Everyone drinks it: both children and adults. Of course, for children, glögg is brewed without alcohol (in Norway, this is extremely strict!).
View old disney cartoons and Three Nuts for Cinderella.
The Scandinavians are perhaps the only ones who still remember who Ferdinand the Bull is. Nordic people, including Norway, have watched the same ten cartoons every Christmas since 1953. Disney's Donald Duck & Friends will air this Christmas on national television at 3pm, just like every year before. Such a tradition will be very alien to visitors.
Scandinavian christmas It will not be complete if the inhabitants of the country do not watch the movie fairy tale "Three nuts for Cinderella" produced in Czechoslovakia and the GDR, which was popular in the 70s of the last century. And this tradition, according to the British, is even stranger than watching cartoons.
Christmas "smuggling".
In fact, this tradition is "one-sided", but Norway and Sweden participate in it. On the eve of Christmas, Norwegians flock to shopping centers located on the border with Sweden, where there are huge reserves of inexpensive alcohol, and in the event of a shortage, and oil. The long-standing tradition has over time stepped over the framework of the Christmas holidays, since especially zealous Norwegians at the end of the year prefer to buy food for several months in advance.
Kolyada.
There is little difference between the way Scandinavian kids go door to door asking for a treat and the way the rest of the world does it on Halloween. Children, dressed in costumes, go from house to house and for holiday treat perform songs. If adults decide to do this, they dress up beyond recognition and drink a glass of aquavit - Scandinavian caraway vodka - at every home. Not everyone manages to get around at least half of the houses on one street.
Ribs instead of turkey.
Regardless of whether pork or lamb is on the Norwegian table, ribs will be the main dish of the holiday, rather than the traditional turkey. Pork ribs flaunt on six out of ten festively set tables; Norwegians eat 3,000 tons of ribs every Christmas.
The pig has been an integral part of Norwegian culture for two thousand years. The first traces were found in Old Norse mythology, where the boar Sehrimnir is slaughtered and eaten in the evening, and on next morning he is whole again. Pork was also the centerpiece of the pre-Christian winter sacrifice, the pre-Christian Christmas celebration. One of the oldest recipes for pork ribs was recorded in Christopher Hammer's Norwegian Cookbook in 1793.
Dancing around the tree.
Foreigners who find themselves in a Norwegian family for Christmas are likely to be discouraged when asked to hold hands and dance around the Christmas tree. The surprise will increase even more when the members Norwegian family will sing songs from the 1967 album God Jul by Dizzie Tunes. If for our person a round dance is a familiar thing since kindergarten and school New Year's parties, then for many Europeans it is a Scandinavian curiosity.
Fake Santa Claus.
Many people wonder how Scandinavian children can believe in Santa Claus if they come face to face with him. During festive dinner one of the parents or other relatives goes away for a short time and returns with a fake beard and something like a heavy coat or hat. Very few children manage to deceive and make them believe that it is real grandfather Freezing. Again, a similar tradition is widespread in Russia, but in Europe Santa Claus usually brings gifts in secret and you cannot meet him at dinner.
Pre-Christmas baked goods.
Traditionally, Scandinavians must bake at least seven types of cookies in the weeks leading up to Christmas Eve. This tradition is most common in Norway today. In fact, pre-Christmas baked goods are much more important to them, which is why most often all seven types of cookies can be found on the Christmas table.
Brownie porridge.
If nisse, a good spirit living in sheds and protecting the house, a kind of brownie, does not receive a plate of porridge with a piece of butter on top, according to Norwegian beliefs, he will take revenge by doing various dirty tricks, such as tying cow tails together. Norwegians take this tradition more seriously than even the custom of leaving a glass of sherry for Santa Claus.
In the northern Scandinavian countries, the Nativity of Christ is main holiday years old, beloved by adults and, of course, children. Each of the countries of the Scandinavian Peninsula has its own characteristics and unusual.
Can there be any doubt that a beautiful Christmas fairy tale lives in Finland - the land of a thousand? Exactly at noon on December 24th, the Christmas world is solemnly declared across the country, the observance of which is closely monitored by Finnish law.
Even December itself is called the "month of Christmas" (joulukuu) in Finnish. During this period, the whole of Finland is transformed, decorated Christmas trees or elegant wreaths of spruce branches are placed everywhere.
Many traditions are very similar to those that exist in others. European countries, but only in Finland does the Christmas fairy tale come to life. After all, here, in snowy Lapland, the good Santa Claus lives! He has his own residence, where he receives guests every day, his fabulous workshops, where Christmas gifts are prepared, his post office, where thousands of letters from children from all over the world come.
Yulupukki (as the Finns call their beloved grandfather) lives on a hill called "Mount Ears", so they can hear the Christmas requests of children from different corners the globe... The gnomes help him sort out correspondence, send letters, etc. By the way, you can write to Santa Claus at: Santa Claus, 96930, Napapiiri, Finlandia, 99999.
Sweden, known for its free morals, has gone much further along the path of secularization. Christmas here is just a period of seasonal greetings and gifts, which, although celebrated on a grand scale, does not at all remind of the One who was born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago.
Even the word "Christmas" is written here with a small letter - "Christmas", and on greeting cards instead of Merry Christmas ( Merry Christmas) write - Season’s Greetings (seasonal greetings) or Seasonal Blessings (seasonal wishes).
The Swedes also manage to treat the good wizard Santa Claus very down to earth. Swedish kids don't expect gifts miraculously appearing under a tree or in boots. During festive dinner on Christmas Eve, the father of the family or another relative, quietly goes out, changes into Santa and knocks on the door. Handing over the long-awaited gifts to children, he says: "Johanna (Marta, Anders, etc.) from dad and mom!" And no magic! Everything is simple and prosaic!
Norwegians, on the other hand, do not forget to visit at Christmas. festive service in the church, even if in usual time do not go there at all. In the countryside before festive meal there is a tradition to read the gospel story of the birth of the Infant Christ. The bells will not let you forget about the holiday, because their ringing is heard very far away.
The attitude towards Yulenisa (Norwegian Santa Claus) is very touching and respectful. A plate of refreshments is traditionally left especially for him. Kind-hearted Norwegians do not forget about the smaller brothers - the birds. They make a special pole with a sheaf of wheat or barley attached to it and put it on the street, inviting the birds to feast. Children will be able to see the decorated Christmas tree only after the festive dinner and this, together with the gifts, is the main surprise for the little ones.
In Denmark - the homeland of the great Andersen - Christmas night is consecrated with thousands of burning candles. Two large candles are lit as a symbol of the guiding Bethlehem star, one - on the windowsill, and the other - on the festive table. Danish Santa Claus comes to children not alone, but with his elves - assistants, who are called "nisse" here.
Children in Iceland were very lucky (which, for some reason, is also often referred to as Scandinavian countries). They receive gifts not just once, but as many as twelve! Every morning, starting from December 12, the little ones find in their shoes little gifts from the Christmas-tree men.
A very wise and instructive tradition is about Christmas television. The TV, which is essential for holidays in other countries, will not be a guest (or host ...) for Icelanders for festive table, it is officially turned off so that family members communicate more with each other during this holy time.
In all countries, the Christmas holidays are very much awaited, they prepare for them for a long time and try to have fun with all their hearts on these bright days.
After Christmas, Scandinavians often spend leisure in nature with the whole family. Special clothing for tourism and sports equipment contributes to the enjoyment of such a holiday. Snow, forest and clean air perfectly charge everyone with their energy.
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