WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRAVEL TO A CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND? Just close your eyes and imagine!

BY EILI ANDERSSON *

Around you, there are small medieval houses in various bright colors and pastel shades. On the ground, there is fresh powder snow dimming the noises of people and traffic. The market place is filled with tiny huts selling handicrafts, food articles and hõõgvein – the local version of hot wine, which is known as mulled wine in English, Glühwein in German, vin chaud in French and glögg in Scandinavian. The local version is served with Vana Tallinn, a liquor “Old Tallinn”, as you are in Tallinn.

So, when the temperatures go below -10 centigrade, you can warm up your body with hand-made woolen cap and gloves as well as some hot wine. And the wellknown and touching Christmas carols are warming up your heart and soul.

festive but not overly decorated.

All of this makes you feel like you are in the middle of a movie scene or a fairytale. You have a broad smile on your face and you feel like saying “Merry Christmas” to everyone.

This is another year shadowed by the Covid outbreak and uncertainty. In many countries in Europe the traditional Christmas markets have been cancelled – you cannot really postpone a Christmas market to the spring, when the situation might be better. Even in Estonia, there are a lot of restrictions and Covid passes are required, but luckily the outdoor Christmas market can still be organized.

In times like this, we especially need the true Christmas spirit of togetherness and hope.

* Eili Andersson is a Finnish diplomat currently working in Tallinn, Estonia. Previously, she lived in Athens and covered even Albania. Eili has lived in eight countries in Asia and Europe, and she knows that all over the world there is beauty to be discovered. But your home is, where your heart is and your people are. For her, it is Finland.