kamliv

Joulupukki is a Finnish Christmas-figure. The name Joulupukki literally meansYule Goat. The Finnish word "pukki" comes from the Swedish "bock" (equivalent of the English "buck" or "billy-goat") and is a old scandinavian tradition. For an unknown reason the word Joulupukki is written as Santa Claus in english, which is a different Christmas-figure (North-America).
There is a long Finnish tradition of persons dressing in goat costume to solicit or perform for leftover food after Christmas. Historically, such as person was an older man, and the tradition refers to him as a nuuttipukki. The term now also describes the practice, reportedly continuing in some parts of Finland.
Today Joulupukki looks and behaves mostly like his American version, but there are differences. Joulupukki's house and workshop is situated in the mountains of Korvatunturi, whereas the American counterpart resides at the North Pole. Another difference is instead of sneaking in through the climney during the late night hours, Joulupukki knocks on the front door during the Christmas Eve celebration. When he comes in, his first words are traditionally "Onkos täällä kilttejä lapsia?" (Are there (any) well-behaved children here?)
He usually wears warm red clothes, uses a walking stick, and travels in a sleigh pulled by a number of reindeer. The popular song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" in its Finnish translation, Petteri Punakuono, has led to Rudolph's general acceptance in the mythology as Joulupukki's lead reindeer. Joulupukki has a wife, Joulumuori ("Old Lady Christmas"), but tradition doesn't have much to say about her.

Rovaniemi, located near the Arctic Circle, is Santa Claus’ hometown

Around the Arctic Circle wrap up warm in this winter wonderland for the freezing weather with air still and blue make cheeks redden and noses run.

Santa Claus, is not afraid of chilly weather – under his thick, red coat he is snug and very warm, as he commutes from Korvatunturi in Eastern Finnish Lapland to Rovaniemi every day.

In Santa Claus Office within the Arctic Circle it is far from freezing. The cheerful “pre-Christmas” hustle and bustle keeps Santa’s helpers dashing about seemingly never catching up. The Office is full of excitement with a symphony of different languages, spoken by the thousands of international guests in Rovaniemi to meet with Santa Claus. This atmosphere of Christmas is present in Lapland and Rovaniemi all the year around.
www.santaclaus.fi/

И еще это - www.santatelevision.com/

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