How Did the Nordic Countries Kidnap Santa Claus? (part 5)

Finland has thus partially succeeded in its bid to “naturalize” Santa Claus and reap the tourist dividends (more for the country’s overall image than for local benefits, however), not hesitating to associate Santa Claus with Finnish and Lappish folk traditions (the reindeer, especially) to better promote these while reinforcing the magical dimension of the Christmas holidays.

Text translated from french version by Gilles Fumey

Image : mariya_m