Ilves Kanadassa

Pikkujoulu. It's an innocuous enough term, literally meaning 'little Christmas', that evokes the smells, sights and sounds of this special time of year. Images of rosy-cheeked carollers singing 'Silent Night' while others gather around to sip eggnog and trim the tree come to mind as one thinks of the pre-holiday festivities that people celebrate with their friends and loved ones. Ahhh, one almost gets misty-eyed.

Now, if we consider the modern-day Finnish pikkujoulu, you must imagine for a moment that your vision is getting blurry not for sentimental reasons, but for altogether different ones.

The pikkujoulu tradition has strong roots in Finland, originating in Sweden and Germany in the eighteen hundreds and developing initially in Finland amongst students. They have evolved from the 'puurojuhlat' of yesteryear into often the most eagerly anticipated work party of the year—and are amongst the Nokia generation mainly seen as a way in which to give hard-working employees a brief respite from the depressing darkness of the winter season. Thus, they have over the recent years become synonymous with alcohol-induced partying 'til the wee hours of the morning. A side effect resulting from the pressure of being voted the most competitive nation in the world by the World Economic Forum? Perhaps.

So, you can understand that I was a bit intrigued when I received the invitation to the Finnish-Canadian Society's annual pikkujoulu party. It was with great curiosity to see what a pikkujoulu celebration would be like that united two nations that are both almost patriotically passionate about their alcohol that I entered the beautifully restored Rauhanasema in Pasila, Helsinki.

The first indication that this party would be of a slightly different nature was that when greeting me at the door, Carmen Boudreau-Kiviaho, current chairwoman of FCS, and her boyfriend Kimmo immediately offered me a glass of glögi and made sure to point out that there was the non-alcoholic kind available as well. I looked around me and noticed that there were all the ingredients of a real Finnish pikkujoulu: friendly people, good food, great music courtesy of native groove band Wabanag, even a Christmas tree.

I met several nice people from all over Canada, including Heikki Kokkonen, a graduate from Carlton University currently working in Helsinki, and Francis Gamanche, originally from Quebec City. Sudbury was well represented with both Carmen and John Vakkuri claiming it as their hometown. I chatted with Maryna Siemienski while her daughter Lilja, age four, found herself a new playmate and potential babysitter in Steve Alanko who is currently on exchange in Helsinki. Her Excellency Ms. Adèle Dion, the Canadian Ambassador to Finland, was also there generously lending her support to the organization.

Thus, by the end of the night, after the last note of music was played and the last drop of glögi drunk, I had to conclude that the Canadians managed to pick up on the best that the Finnish pikkujoulu tradition has to offer, minus the headache in the morning. Now the only problem is I have to wait until juhannus for the next party!

By Laura Ojanen

Laura submitted this piece to Vapaa Sana in Canada as well.