Helsinki officially starts the Christmas season by celebrating the opening of the Christmas Street about a month before Christmas. Aleksander Street (Aleksanterinkatu) is decorated with Christmas lights and wreaths which leads to the Senate Square (Senaatintori) where the big Christmas tree stands.
This yearly event is typified by entertainment at the Senate Square featuring male choirs, Muumi, etc. It is also where the participants of the parade assemble.
This year’s opening is way much different from the previous I’ve experienced before. It felt very strange that the temperature was mild; there was the afternoon sunlight too! I guess that was the reason why the parade started really late. I reckon they wanted to wait for the skies to turn darker in order to have that cozy atmosphere. But don’t quote me on that.
I think that in this year’s parade, there were more participants than last year’s. But of course spectators always fill up the street year after year, regardless; it is a tradition after all. The parade always culminate with Santa Claus at the back seat of an old open-top car, surrounded by gifts, waving to everyone. No sight of reindeers ever. Everybody reckons that they are taking a much needed rest in Lappland.
, Lumix 20mm f1.7
pancake lens, and Manfrotto 561BHDV-1
monopod.Tags: finland, helsinki, joulukadun avajaiset