The most important day of Christmas here in Finland is the Christmas Eve. That is when we have our Christmas dinner. That is when Santa pays his visit and brings presents. That is when we visit the graves of the loved ones' who have passed on. And that is when, at 12 o'clock noon, the city of Turku, declares the Christmas peace.
The declaration of Christmas peace is an ancient tradition dating back to the 13th century. In the old times Christmas peace was a 20 day period starting from Christmas Eve when punishment for any crime committed during that time was more severe than during "ordinary time".
There was a horrible fire in Turku in 1827 when most of the town was burned down. Also the document where the declaration of Christmas peace was written on was lost to flames. After the fire a clerk working in the city administrative court wrote the declaration down from memory.
Since 1889 the declaration has been read by a city official from the balcony of Brinkkala Mansion. The square in front ot the house is always backed with hundreds of people and all over Finland people turn on their TVs to watch the declaration of Christmas peace live. The event has been broadcasted on radio since the 1930s, televised since 1983 and it has been possible to watch it live on the net since 2006. Since 1889 the declaration of Christmas peace hasn't had any juridical meaning, but as a lovely tradition it is still going strong.
The declaration goes like this (from the city of Turku's website):
"Tomorrow, God willing,
is the graceful celebration of the birth of our Lord and Saviour;
and thus is declared a peaceful Christmas time to all, by advising devotion and to behave otherwise quietly and peacefully,
because he who breaks this peace and violates the peace of Christmas by any illegal or improper behaviour shall under aggravating circumstances be guilty and punished according to what the law and statutes prescribe for each and every offence separately.
Finally, a joyous Christmas feast is wished to all inhabitants of the city."
Below you can watch the 2009 declaration of Christmas peace. The ceremony always starts with a hymn, lyrics of which are originally by Martin Luther. Then the declaration is read both in Finnish and Swedish, our two national languages. Afterwards the national anthem is sung and the ceremony ends with the honorary march of the Finnish Defence Forces. Actually, taken that it is all about living in peace some of the music sung and played is not very peaceful... That aside, this is a very special tradition.
Don't forget to visit today's other Virtual Advent Tour stops, too!
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