1965 Julfrid Image by V. K. Hietanen, JOKA Journalism Collection, The National Board of Antiquities, CC BY 4.0
Julfrid
At noon on Christmas Eve, peace is declared from the balcony of the Brinkkala building in Åbo. The Declaration of Christmas Peace has continued nearly uninterrupted since the 1300s. The traditions of reading the declaration from the balcony began in 1886.Today, this event is largely watched on TV. The declaration began radio broadcast in 1935 and the television broadcast began in 1983. In 1986 it began broadcast in Sweden. Now everyone can watch it via the internet.
The only times the declaration has been cancelled: • Russian invasion and occupation of Finland in 1712–1721—a period also known as the Greater Wrath • 1917 when the militia was on strike, • 1939 because of a fear of air raids.
The 2020 Julfrid during the pandemic. Image by Karl Vainio/Åbo Media Bank
Watch the 2020 Julfrid
The Occasional Christmas Dispatch | 26
