Rovaniemi
Finland’s Northern most Region Lapland is sparsely populated sharing borders with Scandinavian cousins Sweden and Norway, the Baltic Sea and Russia. This icy wonder is right in the Arctic Circle and though being at the farthest northern tip of Finland it is a major tourist centre. Lapland’s Capital Rovaniemi is the place to view the Northern Lights and is also very famously known to be the home of ‘ Santa Claus ‘.
The Santa Claus Village
The Santa Claus Village
As per the Finnish lore, the Santa Claus lives in the Ear Mountain with his Elves and the Reindeer and The Santa Claus Village has been created about 8 kms from Rovamieni, a place visited by almost a million people throughout the year. 90 % of the visitors are from outside Finland. One major attraction of the village is The Santa Claus Main Post Office which is officially a part of the Finnish Postal Service. Can you believe it, Santa Claus has a post office, called Joulupukin Paaposti ( in finnish ) which works 365 days a year.
The Santa Claus Main Post Office & Eleanor Roosevelt
It all began in the November of 1950, when Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of Franklin Roosevelt visited Rovamieni and to commemorate her visit, Santa Claus’ post office was established and Eleanor Roosevelt wrote the first letter from within the Arctic Circle with a special stamp. A cottage too was built in her memory called the Roosevelt Cottage which still stands firmly just in front of the Santa Claus Post Office.
A Busy Post Office
The Post office is a part of the Finnish postal system and receives and sends letters like any other post office It is managed by full time workers dressed as Elves everyday of the Year. The post office receives close to a million letters every year from every nook and corner of the world. The letters are mostly written by children, however some adults too indulge in writing to Santa Claus. The correspondence from children consists of letters, pictures and sometimes even small gifts pouring out their love for Santa Claus.
Joy & Pain , As Children Write
Savouring the Letters
The children ask a lot of questions in their letters, with some being emotionally charged and heart rending. They write about the war and the suffering it brings, asking for peace. They write about their personal problems or a sick loved one. The innocence of the children notwithstanding, a lot of pain is expressed in the letters too. The Post Office works hard by franking every letter and preserving it. Santa Claus also tries to respond to most of the letters which is such a noble initiative.
Spreading Love – The Santa Way
No wonder, Santa Claus’ Post Office is such a sought after Tourist Attraction. In my opinion, the kind of work the Post Office is doing is not only humbling, but is seriously comforting to thousands of children across the globe. Santa’s love for children is being spread by the Post Office in its unique way.
Keep going Good Santa !!
Dear Readers : Don’t forget the address : Santa Claus, Arctic Circle, FI- 96930 Rovaniemi, Finland.
Read QUICK, Read BETTER @ rizkhan.in
Such an interesting post by Riz. He has most accurately given the geographical description of the unique post office giving a rare service. It is truly spreading happiness…feeling of being loved…cared all across the globe.