圣诞老人的故乡

圣诞老人的故乡

Visiting Santa Claus in Finland

ANCHOR

And it's not a Christmas carol, but Santa Claus that draws people to Finland. Finland's YLE takes us to the town in the Arctic Circle that's a hotspot1 during the Christmas season.

CORRESPONDENT

This is the Arctic Circle, specifically the outskirts2 of a town called Rovaniemi, which used to be virtually unknown outside Finland. Nowadays, though, Husky sleighs3 aren't the only way to get here. This bit of half-wild Lapland has its own international airport, with dozens of planes in and out everyday and direct flights from places like London, Budapest and Milan.

This time of year it's cold and dark and windy in the Arctic Circle, but that doesn't keep some half a million visitors from coming every year. And while the Arctic safaris4 and the wildlife are certainly very popular, there's no denying that the main attraction is the big man himself.

That's right, Santa Clause, Father Christmas, Pere Noel, Papa Natali. These are his international office headquarters. The whole town seems to revolve around Santa's office. In December, the post office handles 32,000 letter a day from nearly 200 countries. Nearby, you can even take Santa's reindeer5 out for a spin. And then there's Santa Park and a dozen businesses that bear his name. But there's no competing with the surprisingly genuine warmth of this man, who sees himself less an icon of Christianity than a universal ambassador6 of goodwill.

SANTA CLAUS

There are things that go and should go, you know, across and over and beyond all boundaries whether they are geographical or cultural. You know, that is, love thy neighbour, the children.

CORRESPONDENT

And while Santa Claus' office has an array of the requisite souvenir7 shops, that's not what sticks in the minds of both children and adults here. What do you think about finally meeting Santa Claus, Father Christmas?

THOMAS SEALE, BRITISH TOURIST

Really great. Really, really great.

MARGARET BRAZENDALE, BRITISH TOURIST

They still believe in Father Christmas and to come here and to see him. It just make it real for them and makes it real for me as well. I enjoy every minute of it.

CORRESPONDENT

And what might Santa Claus want for Christmas?