Happy Holidays!

The Finnish Embassy in Tallinn will be closed on Monday December 26.

In common with the other Nordic countries, the most important Christmas celebration in Finland takes place on Christmas Eve.

Among Finnish traditions are the Christmas sauna, and the preparation of Christmas dinner which includes time-honoured delicacies such as pickled herring, rosolli (a vegetable salad of beetroot, carrot, potato and gherkins), gravad lax, roe, casseroles of potato, carrot, and swede, Christmas ham, a cold dessert of puréed plums, and ginger bread cookies.

The highlight of the evening is of course when Santa knocks on the door. His words are always the same: "Are there any well behaved children here?" Naturally, in every home there are only good children and they all receive presents.

Finns love their Christmas carols. Carols are sung enthusiastically in churches before Christmas and carol concerts at other venues are very popular.

One of the most beautiful moments of a Finnish Christmas Eve is visiting a cemetry to place candles on the grave of a deceased loved one. Row upon row of candles flicker in the snow beneath a dark blue sky, creating an unforgettable sight.

Christmas Eve is also a time for memories, when many recall Christmases of childhood and past generations.