P y h ä j o e n K u u l u m i s e t – 19 . 12 . 2 0 16
sivu 9
A.V.I.T.A.E
Introducing Bratislava Bratislava is the capital city of Slovakia, surprisingly dynamic and full of lovely places where you can spend your time. The city shows a great balance in keeping its old and traditional values undisturbed in a modern environment. In Bratislava we can indeed find one city part with factories, skyscrapers and shopping centres, whilst in the other, older part we can walk around in little lanes and find beautiful squares, theatres, fantastic chocolate shops and statues of funny local characters. This is a really traditional aspect of the Slovakian culture and we can find many typical statues; one of the most renowned ones is curiously staring at people and playfully peeping under a woman's skirt. I think this is the best part of the city for
tourists to have a glimpse of fect place, where you can the citizens' actual lifestyle. spend time with friends. There are lot of traditional Bratislava also contains restaurants like historical a great number of historic chalets with typical Slovak buildings, which mostly are style. Bratislava is known for located within the center of the delicious beer, so thethe city. Historic buildings re are lot of breweries and can be found on the outs- pubs with local beer. For kirts of the city surrounded coffee lovers there are a lot by beautiful nature as well of coffee houses too with as only a few minutes’ drive typical homemade or raw from the center of Bratisla- sweets and we can't forget va. A large part of the his- about the many chocolate toric buildings that can be factories and bakeries. Dufound in Bratislava are great ring weekends, there are a castles that make a good lot of traditional markets trip for tourists who seek a with Slovak products like good sightseeing spot, but cheese, fresh fruits or vegethese buildings are also a tables of the season, meat perfect place to learn about and other products. So BraBratislava’s history. Most tislava is the perfect place castles offer great views, art, for hanging out with friends guided tours and cafés if you or for people who like good that you need. And it is not if you like shopping. Theneed to grab a bite. cuisine. very expensive there. In the re are many shopping censhopping centers there are Bratislava is also the per- The city is a good place ters, where you can buy all a lot of well-known brands and some local little stores. In the center of Bratislava there are many fascinating souvenir boutiques and fine streets which are surrounded by high quality shops and cozy cafeterias. And if you the have time, you can go to Vienna which is also a shopping paradise only an hour away from Bratislava.
connect till the last corner of Bratislava. Another activity that we did was go to a technology business where its boss gave us a question time to teach us how he became an entrepreneur and showed us the company. We also visited a castle outside Bratislava, a very old castle with many rooms and thanks to a guide we could see all of them and know the castle’s history, and the guide told us that a long time ago this castle was used by very important people.
This is what Carlos from Thomas: The trip to BraSpain and Thomas from tislava was the best moment Greece had to say about in my life because I had the their trip to Bratislava chance to make new friends. I also had the chance to Carlos: The first day each improve my teamwork skills. of us was welcomed by a fa- I liked the Red Castle, the mily which showed us local UFO Tower with the best living there for a week du- view I have ever see in my life ring which which we shared and the visit to the compacustoms, talked and met ny Pixel Federation because different cultures. My trips in the future I want to work to different places like Bra- with computers and make vitislava Castle or a tour pre- deo games. I would love to pared by the city helped me visit Bratislava again. learn a little more about the place, a city that is composed of several tram lines that
sivu 10 Winter
P y h ä j o e A.V.I.T.A.E n K u u l u m i s e t – 19 . 12 . 2 0 16
2015
HANDS ON COOKING in Hotelová Akadém Oriana González Hernández The Hotel Academy is situated near the historical centre of Bratislava. Here you can spend a really good time learning different subjects and preparing all sorts of events. There is always something on! In this Academy you can learn how to be a great waiter and a superb chef; students dress up in uniforms and their teachers also give them tasks like cooking in their homes and bringing the food they’ve prepared to taste it. It was a real change from our schools, with lots of written tasks and homework.We had the opportunity to know how it goes and we spent some
time cooking with the senior students.We split into 5 international groups, and each group had to prepare one typical dish from one of the countries. All dishes were based on ancient recipes, but we could introduce some changes. Innovation was an important part of our final objectives. Each group had to decide what type of food they were going to prepare, and who they were aiming at, food for young people, for weddings or special occasions, for people interested in being healthy, etc. Some innovations were made, using less fat, for example, as nowadays most of us don’t have to do so much physical work as our ancestors did in ancient
times. The ingredients were Group 4: Kolokasi from instead, it wasn’t like the typibought the day before the coo- Cyprus, cooking Emily, Oona, cal soup, but it was tasty and king day. The food we prepared Stella, Juliane, Stefanos, Oria- very healthy! in the different groups was: na and Christian. On the whole, the experience Group 1: Chestnut flour panGroup 5: Watercress soup was very positive and we manacakes from Italy, cooking Denis, from Spain, cooking Kristina ged quite well in the kitchen, of Taina, María, Ask, Chris and Jonna, Niki, Sofie, Theodora, course with a lot of help from Yolimar Valeria and Davide. the Academy. Group 2: Whole grain yogurt pancakes (4 large size pancakes), from Greece, cooking Radovan, Emmi, María, Molly, Thomas, Carlos and Chiara. Group 3: Toasted bread topped with olives from Italy , and traditional salmon soup from Finland, cooking Andrea, Cem, Vangelis, Amalie, Nefeli, Frida and Emma.
Not everything turned out as we had planned. We had some problems with some dishes like the salmon soup from Finland, because the sauce tasted “funny” so, the liquid was removed and the potatoes and the salmon saved. The final product wasn’t really soup, but it was nice! Besides, the watercress soup didn’t have “watercress”, we couldn’t get it in Bratislava, so we added other vegetables
At last, all the students and the teachers got together, we presented the dishes and everyone tasted them. The food was really good so, it disappeared in seconds!
P y h ä j o e A.V.I.T.A.E n K u u l u m i s e t – 19 . 12 . 2 0 16
Winter 2015
sivu 11
mia
CAP RUN - running for charity By Sofie Brøbech Hedam far as the eye could see. With in the run seemed to end very people eagerly waiting to get suddenly when we got to the Hansen
Before the CAP Run even started, everyone was meeting up just a few hundred meters from the starting point - under some sort of bridge. Everyone looked ready with their tights and running shoes, eagerly waiting to get their own number to put on their shirts. A long time went, more and more students both from primary schools and high schools, teachers and other participants were ready to run the 2,8 km for charity. Suddenly everyone was moving, as the woman in charge must have told us to in Slovak. By just following the stream of bodies we ended up at the waterfront, looking over the Danube as
started the tension seemed to end of the waterfront. At the rise. Some of the participants, end, everyone was just sipping very eager to finish first, mo- water and eating some chocoved their way to the front of late. The 2,8 km was quickly the group, so no one would lost by thoughts, breath and a be in their way. By the time of pleasing view.  the countdown, streaming out from a tiny speaker, everyone The run was organized by the was ready to run. Many had a students of the school, the Hovery quick start, others a very televå AkadÊmia, and the moslow one - but overall most ney went to a women’s organipeople seemed to enjoy their zation in Sierra Leone. That day time at their own pace. One of more than 1600 euros were the most wonderful things of collected for a good cause in the run was the view. Running good spirit and atmosphere. next to Europe’s second largest river is not something you%\ 6RILH %U¥EHFK +HGDP +DQVHQ get to do everyday, if you, like me, don’t live anywhere near Bratislava or any of the neighbouring countries. My time
W ZhE Ͳ ĆŒĆľĹśĹśĹ?ĹśĹ? Ä¨Ĺ˝ĆŒ Ä?ĹšÄ‚ĆŒĹ?ĆšÇ‡Í˜
%HIRUH WKH &$3 5XQ HYHQ VWDUWHG HYHU\RQH ZDV PHHWLQJ XS MXVW D IHZ KXQGUHG PHWHUV IURP WKH
AVITAE - A flood of cultural destinations in the Bratislava On Tuesday 6th October, the whole “AVITAEcrew “ participating meeting went on a trip out of Bratislava to experience further cultural attractions. sivu 12 Winter
P y h ä j o e A.V.I.T.A.E n K u u l u m i s e t – 19 . 12 . 2 0 16
2015
By Yolimar, Irene, Denis, Chris, Taina, Maria & Ask On a foggy Tuesday the AVITAE ‘ambassadors’ who participated in the Bratislava meeting gathered in front of the school in order to leave for a trip to Cerveny Kamen castle - also known as the Red Stone Castle. As the crew went into the castle after a long walk in the castle´s foggy gardens, an exciting guided tour started. As the AVITAE crew was guided through the Castle, paintings and frescoes, deep wells and amazing dungeons and wine cellars (the largest in Europe) were photographed and admired. The Thurzo family. From 1588 until the end of WWII Red Stone Castle was owned by the Pállfy family who rebuilt the castle seve-
ral times and turned it into a comfortable dwelling. In 1949, the Castle was declared a part of the national cultural heritage and was then turned into a museum offering insights into the owners’s taste for room furniture and military collections. Through time the Castle underwent several restorations and enlargements. For this reason a new entrance and a French park are now available for the public. Shortly after a tasty lunch in the Castle restaurant, the ‘crew’ headed for a Slovakian Traditional Ceramics Factory. Here the group was divided into two subgroups - one was guided through the Ceramics Factory, and the other took part in a workshop which consisted in decorating a small plain pot. Then the two sub groups swapped tasks.
and toured the rooms and took lots of pictures of old furniture, frescoes, etc. Our guide had a funny accent, and it was hard to follow all his explanations. The castle had several busts of kings and lords from Slovakia. They all looked very smart and powerful. We visited the chapel. It was very nice, the floor was decorated with stones. It seems the old kings liked foot massages, so, when they came inside that room, they took off their shoes and while they were walking they could have their massage. Well, at least, that is what the guide told us. It was beautiful!
knives, guns and suits of armour. More than four hundred weapons! While we were heading to other rooms, we saw a lot of Baroque dresses. I loved them! A bit later we went to the wine cellar. It was underground. The ceiling was very low, so the tallest members of our group got hurt. We laughed for a while, but later, going down the narrow stairs, it got a bit scary. Inside the wine cellar there was a jail. I couldn’t possibly spend any time there. I would rather stick pins in my eyes. I would be terrified. Probably, some ghost could appear in the middle of the night.
All the rooms were decorated with frescoes, chandeliers and splendorous chimneys. Personally, I think there must have been a great place to read a book with a cup of very hot chocolate!
Later, we saw the “weapon’s First we entered the castle room”. There were lots of
P y h ä j o e A.V.I.T.A.E n K u u l u m i s e t – 19 . 12 . 2 0 16
The history of Red Stone Castle dates back to the 13th century, namely to 1240; it was built on Queen Konstanz’s properties. Originally a medieval castle, it was part of a network of frontier fortifications. Since the beginning of the 13th century and until the beginning of the 16th century the castle had several owners (all members of the Hungarian nobility, such as Matthew Csak of Trencín and Ján Zápolsky)
Winter 2015
sivu 13
sivu 14 Winter
P y h ä j o e A.V.I.T.A.E n K u u l u m i s e t – 19 . 12 . 2 0 16
2015
Group 3 Funny moments during the meeting Thirty five students coming from seven different countries of Europe were gathered in Bratislava.
Before arriving in the capital of Slovakia the Finnish and the Spanish students met in Vienna. There we first learnt about the differences between cultures when the Spanish tried to kiss the Finnish. In Finland nobody kisses each other. The Spanish students felt embarrassed but when they thought about it they started laughing themselves. First funny moment of the trip! When everybody arrived in Slovakia we met our host families. There wasn’t anyone who didn’t feel at home with their family, that’s great! But most of the students agreed on one thing: The members of the family, apart from the young Slovak host student, didn’t know any English so they were trying to communicate in Slovak. That was a problem because the boys and girls from the visiting countries obviously didn’t understand a word so we ended up in a mess of communication resulting in a lot of laughter. Everybody was always laughing!! Soon we became a big, friendly group of people from different countries. We
were all in great spirits, really happy that we took part in the meeting. This meant that we all shared jokes, funny moments and a lot of laughs. This trip from the first day to the last was incredible. There are moments we’ll never forget… First day in the high school. After some months talking to people in our international group it was at last time to see each other face to face. So nervous! It’s different when you talk to someone on the internet and when you talk without a screen in front of you. But that wasn’t a problem for us! Finally! We all got together…
We also laughed a lot in the ceramics factory when everybody showed to the others their artistic side by painting the ceramics…. This was a total artistic disaster. Or a new approach to painting cups. Who can really tell… We had a great time during the school party. That was the best day when almost everybody danced and showed the other students typical dances from their country.
The Greek people are so passionate about their dances so the rest of the students tried to learn how to dance. That We remember that in the kit- was another mess but we had chen when we were cooking a great time together. Also the everything started okay with teachers were dancing!! group 3. We finished the starter from Italy but what hapBut we shared some sad mopened when we tried to cook ments too. This was when we the Finnish soup? Nobody had to say goodbye. knows what happened but that it was a disaster! Our soup beNobody wanted to go but we came a dish without any kind couldn’t do anything, time flies. of liquid just potatoes, carrots It’s a good thing, though, that and fish. We were stressed be- we still keep in touch. It seems cause we had to present the that we have made some good, dish but once we understood international friends. we couldn’t do anything we started to joke to each other about what we had made.
Winter 2015
P y h ä j o e A.V.I.T.A.E n K u u l u m i s e t – 19 . 12 . 2 0 16
sivu 15
The … Entrepreneurial Spirit of Christmas - Cyprus tured interview through which we would ask a number of businesses to give us inside information on how they approach this hectic season. The businesses we contacted were the ARISTON CONFECTIONERY LTD, BONSAI FLOWER SHOP, TIP TOP TOY SHOP, SELECT HOUSE Home Supplies and the These are some of the things NEW HELVETIA HOTEL. we often ask ourselves over the Christmas Holidays. The Based on what we have learnt Christmas holidays provide a through our interviews, prepagreat opportunity for a speci- rations for the Holidays typific business sector to increase cally begin in mid-November, their profit and gain new custo- and in some cases, where they mers. Our traditions are highly need to import goods from connected with the consump- aboard (for example in the case tion of unnecessarily large of the toy shop), as early as portions of food, the exchan- mid-October. What is more, it ge of gifts, the decoration of is apparent that most businesour premises, whether that is ses are open for the whole of our home or workplace, with a the Christmas period from the vast variety of ornaments and early hours until the late hours flower arrangements which are of the day. This, of course, appsometimes used excessively. lies only to the shops and not to the Hotels, as they work 24 Within the framework of hours a day, seven days a week, our Erasmus+ Programme, we 365 days a year. The flower thought of designing a struc- shop however maintains its
“Mummy, what is Santa going to bring me this year?” “My sister has invited us for New Year’s Eve, what shall we take with us?” “What shall we have for Christmas Day lunch?” “Where should we spend the holidays this year?”
usual opening hours. When asked whether or not their companies had been affected by the economic crisis, all but one responded that it had had a significant negative impact on their profits. The exception was Select House, suppliers of crockery, cutlery and ornaments. They stated that they have not been affected greatly by the economic crisis since all restaurants, hotels and many households are in need of a renovation to a greater or lesser extent. Furthermore, despite the fact that the economic crisis has had a negative impact on the majority companies, they were forced to employ extra personnel as the demands of consumers are high during this period. Hotels require more staff in order to be able to offer improved services, while shops are in need of extra personnel in order to respond to the high number of people at the tills.
The majority of the businesses interviewed have not employed an art designer to coordinate and oversee Christmas decorations due to the high costs, and lack of extra funds. Many stated that they are using decorations and ornaments kept from previous years this year in order to decorate their premises in the hope of both attracting clients and helping them to feel the Christmas Spirit. The Bonsai Flower shop however, not unexpectedly, makes its own decorations every year. Again within the context of the Christmas Holidays, four of the businesses participate in numerous charity fairs, and other events, either by selling their products and donating their profits or by promoting the charity fairs through their company.
as much as in previous years”, “yes, sales are up at this time of year” and “this is the time of year when we have the opportunity to promote our On reflection, the question regarding whether the company imports products for the Christmas season or not was of no value. The reason being that it is not appropriate or relevant to the hotel. Confectionaries make their own products and this, of course, is true throughout the year. Flower shops typically import products throughout the year and so again this question was found to be of no value. Home and Business Suppliers import their products from abroad as a general rule but even more so when the Christmas period arrives, as they import a wide variety of Christmas decorations, ornaments and lighting.
When asked whether they believe that the Christmas period Summing up, Christmas is a is profitable for their business time during which businesses or not, responses included “not have an opportunity to ex-
pand on sales and to promote their goods and services in an original and seasonal spirited manner which could perhaps capture the attention of new customers. This potentially increases their profits to a greater or lesser extent and, at the same time, promotes their label. This is of utmost importance for businesses, especially in times of economic difficulties, as the one we are faced with at the moment. Michalis Stavrou Nikolas Lambrianou Panayiotis Lambrianou Victoria Josephides
sivu 16 Winter
P y h ä j o e A.V.I.T.A.E n K u u l u m i s e t – 19 . 12 . 2 0 16
2015
Christmas is the best-selling season -Finland Christmas is the best-selling season for many companies in Finland . Especially department stores, supermarkets, clothing shops, present shops and bakeries are usually very busy at the Christmas time. We interviewed three companies in Pyhäjoki to find out how Christmas affects them.
The 4H café and handicraft store Here in Pyhäjoki, our 4H organization has its own café and handicraft store. The store is located by Highway 8, which goes through Pyhäjoki. The café sells delicious snacks, cakes and many different delicious things. From the store you can buy handmade things like carpets, decorations, accessories and cards. It is open every Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm. On weekends local young 4H entrepreneurs work there. From cafe you can buy many kind of snacks and piece of cakes.
time. There are gingerbreads and traditional Christmas plum pastries on sale, the advertising is designed for Christmas and many differences Christmas parties are also arranged there. The prices are same as usually in Christmas season too. The Rush doesn’t change the prices.
can be seen in the number customers. Different social events gather more people than usual because everybody want to get to enjoy waiting for Christmas together. “The end of the year is in itself like a celebration because of the Christmas holidays and New Year’s Eve”, we are told in the restaurant. The New The advertisements are Year’s celebration is a tradition suited for Christmas and draw that makes people go out. customers to buy more Christmas things, for example preDado’s opening hours chansents and decorations. As can ge a little bit near Christmas, be expected they bake more partly because of the private Christmas cakes. The shop’s pre-Christmas parties. In the decoration is also suitable for Christmas holidays and betChristmas: there are candles, ween Christmas and New Year's lights and soft sofas to make Eve there are special opening customers feel more comfor- times, which can be checked table. out on Dado’s web site during the Christmas season. At Christmas there is no need to hire more employees, but at the busiest times there will be more Restaurant Dado of them in the restaurant at the Restaurant Dado has been same time than usually. in Pyhäjoki for nine years, and has become familiar to the loThere is a special Christmas cal people over the years. Dado athmosphere, which is also has got a lot of positive feed- seen in Dado’s decorations. back and become well-known Christmas lights are shining also in the neighbouring areas. around the restaurant's entDado contains a restaurant and rance and there are Christmas a bar.. The restaurant’s ow- flower arrangements on tables nership has changed over the - candles have been burning a years, but at this moment the lot since the autumn. owner is Vesa-Matti Toppari from Pyhäjoki.
4H doesn’t usually organize this kind of action. Usually 4H arranges work for young people. 4H is a worldwide organization and it come from the United States. Camps, courses and helping service are most important parts of 4H activiIn the Christmas season preties. Christmas parties are usually arranged in Dado. Christmas Maire Luoto works as execu- food is also a good tradition. tive director in the 4H organi- Some companies, associations zation in Pyhäjoki. As in many and private people have booother organizations and com- ked Christmas parties in Dado. panies, Christmas is the most There is also a Christmas lunch lucrative season also in the 4H open for everyone on 8th café. Many people wants to buy and 15th of December. So, it handicrafts as Christmas pre- is possible to eat very good sents. Also Christmas snacks Christmas food there before bring customers to thestore. Christmas! But apart from the But what differences does Christmas lunches, on the other days the same food as usual Christmas make in the 4H bu- is served.. siness? For example, there are different Christmas deco- Pre-Christmas parties are an rations on sale at Christmas important season Finland which
Supermarket Eväskontti
Tuukka Lisko is the shopkeeper of K-Market Eväskontti in Pyhäjoki. Eväskontti belongs to Kesko, which owns every K-chain shop in Finland. The shop always invests in Christmas more than in other sales. They start to prepare for it much earlier than many people think. Orders are made already six months before Christmas. For example Christmas hams are ordered before Midsummer and sweets are ordered in the summer. Tuukka says that the Christmas planning does not take a lot of time and Christmas preparation does not change the work in the shop.
“We fill shelves as usual”, Teemu says. However, some products are emphasized at Christmas. Christmas makes shops to order a lot of seasonal products, for example fish and different traditional Finnish Christmas oven casseroles. Still, the extra orders do not increase the amount food loss. The sales before Christmas make Eväskontti much profit and parrticularly the Christmas week is one of the best times of the year.. Mostly Christmas sales are similar every year, which means that there is no need for significant changes. The weekdays of Christmas change every year which makes things a little bit different every year. “Of course. when Christmas makes its way to Eväskontti and everywhere else, we decorate the shop in a Christmas style: we bring things to the shop , that bring more Christmas spirit and we change the marketing, so it gets a Christmas look. The competition between shops is growing, especially in Pyhäjoki, as usual. It has always been a challenge, but profit has always been made. And because the sales grow, the shop assistants will have more work to do, when the preparation starts. It is hard to tell, if the customers will do their shopping in bigger cities and their shops, or in Pyhäjoki. And because of the economic downturn, the amount of profit is little lower than be-
fore, but not as much as you choice. would think. There have been conversations about deregulating opening hours, which could affect sales, but Tuukka says that there is no need to change the opening hours, because for our shop they are already free for
P y h ä j o e A.V.I.T.A.E n K u u l u m i s e t – 19 . 12 . 2 0 16
BUSINESS AT CHRISTMAS IN “LA LAGUNA” A WORLD HERITAGE SITE TOWN We live in La Laguna, a charming town of 151,718 inhabitants. At Christmas this cosmopolitan town becomes even more beautiful and welcoming. It is part of a campaign aimed at attracting people and increasing sales. A group of students from the Canarias Cabrera Pinto went to the Town Hall to interview the Mayor, Mr. José Alberto Díaz. He explained that preparations for Christmas start in September. Dynamic campaigns and events are organized from the Town Hall to promote the city. Las Noches en Tinto (The Red Nights), during November, the wine month, when customers get special offers and delicious “tapas” with a glass of wine in bars and restaurants. This year, a trademark with the name, De La Laguna, distinguishes all the products harvested in this district. According to Mr. Díaz, the starting point of the Christmas campaign is The White Night. It is a specific day in November in which there are many activities on the streets, concerts, exhibitions and all the museums and shops are opened until very late at night, with special sales and promotions, the city lights are turned on, and walking along many of its pedestrian streets is even more special. Customers start shopping for Christmas then. Another event organized by The Town Hall is The Craftwork Fair, where the artisans from the island sell their handmade products.
bited and bought as a special as “turrón”, and also some exChristmas present. quisite products to attract customers looking for quality. We also contacted with a business association of about 150 This shop belongs to a Food stores, ALAPYME, founded in Association that organises a 1995, whose main function is raffle of a Christmas’ basket, to make the shopping area of La there is also advertising on Laguna more competitive. The radio and TV and other offers manager of the association, Ju- and discounts. Other shops lián González told us that the print catalogues and coupons. decoration is one of the most important things, because it is We also talked to a young like the window that connects entrepreneur Cristian Pérez, the customers of the street who opened a restaurant in La with the store, so it is necessary Laguna two years ago, ‘’La Tasto have the best one at Christ- ca de Cristian’’. November is a mas time. We also talked about busy time for him. He has to orhow the crisis has affected the der different products and he number of customers who buy changes the menu. things at Christmas time, and he said “there are three variabIn December there are many les that have emerged with the people who book, especially crisis, more competition, less dinners. However, Christian consume by the customer and cannot employ more people, so fewer possibilities to negotiate his waiters and cooks work all with the banks because the- days, including Christmas Day re is less money so, the crisis and New Year’s Day, and do has affected a lot, but profits extra hours on each day.Bakeexist”He sees innovations on ries also have special cakes and communications as the key to sweets for this time of the year. the future of commerce. We talked to ‘El Aderno’ manaObviously there are a lot of ger in La Laguna. different strategies to make people buy, as he said, they Apart from their specialities, know us... they know the kind they have some “star proof music we like to hear in the ducts” for Christmas like the streets, the volume, the pro- panetone, the epiphany cake duct that we like and the type (the ring-shaped cake) and the of showcase that makes us want “gipsy arms”. to buy, even the smallest thing in this city is a business strateToy shops “Arvelo” and gy at Christmas. “Gonay” place the trendiest toys in their window shops and Finally we interviewed diffe- they are full of new products rent shopkeepers in the town. and customers desperate to Most of them agree these are get their orders.La Laguna is the most important sales. Pro- an example of a commercial fits are bigger, they increase up area with a special seal, where to 25%. Customers also inc- The Town Hall together with rease. For coordinating peop- small business, tascas and resle, sales and activities, most of taurants have managed to keep them employ more shop assis- traditions alive and the charm tants. They want to guarantee of a historical town, becoming success, so they open all days one of the best shopping areas and extra hours. of Tenerife.
Finally, on 5th January the Town Hall organizes the “Cabalgata de Reyes” which was founded in 1912. It is one of the most beautiful “Parades” with a lot of floats, pages and cartoon characters. The Three Wise Men who are on their way to deliver their presents, throw sweets to the people, and this Wehbe is one of the most day is very exciting for children. prestigious and oldest deAll shops are opened, of cour- partment stores in town. Mr. se! Fernando Wehbe, the manager of the shop, told us for them There is another interesting decoration is important, they activity taking place in our actually make a huge change town, the first population whe- in façades, shop windows and re a Nativity scene was shown in the stores ’interior, with garoutside a church in the islands lands, ribbons and other deco–during the seventeenth cen- rations based on the Nativity. tury. There are different nativity scenes which will be shown However, the products offethis Christmas. The Culture red only vary about 5% beCouncillor organises a compe- cause they sell products which tition. Young people are wel- are divided in collections.Mr. comed to participate in it. And Luis Rodríguez, manager of also ‘’Merkcarte’’, the Art Fair Supermarket ‘’El Parque’’ and for young people, where young his six employees order special artists’ products can be exhi- products for Christmas, such
Now that you know all about the Christmas in La Laguna, what are you waiting for to come shopping here? We are waiting for you! Carolina Mª Torres Rodríguez Carla Andrea Rodríguez
Rodríguez
Yaiza Castro Hernández.
Winter 2015
sivu 17
sivu 18 Winter
P y h ä j o e A.V.I.T.A.E n K u u l u m i s e t – 19 . 12 . 2 0 16
2015
The business of Christmas in Copenhagen We have taken a look at three very different businesses to see how they prepare for the holiday season and what the business of Christmas means to them. By Mie Knudsen, Silja Nidløse & Bianca Rasmussen
For Foodshop no. 26 on Islandsbrygge, Christmas means less customers than in the sunny summer months. Typically, Danes will flock to the popular harbor pools on Islandsbrygge during the warmer season, bringing plenty of hungry customers to the café slash bakery’s counter. But during Christmas, the Danes disappear elsewhere, says Foodshop no. 26’s Jasmin Falk Jensen. “During the winter months we definitely lose customers to the bigger companies. Everybody goes to the city center during Christmas to shop, so we see fewer customers because of our summerlocation.”
You know the feeling – One minute it’s the 31st of October, heaps of pumpkins in every grocery store, witches and ghosts running through the streets, your neighbor has come over thrice already to ask for candy. Then the clock strikes midnight and in the blink of an eye, Christmas decorations are twinkling merrily in all the shop windows of the city. Suddenly, Mariah Carey’s version of “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is blasting through the speakers of five different department stores – Justin Bieber’s (super But of course the Christmas festive!) version is playing in spirit is still evident in Foodthe rest. shop no. 26 for the customers who do come by to get at de“Why is this happening?” you licious sandwich. “We spend complain with outrage, “My some extra time decorating in goodness, it was only just Hal- the shop,” says Jasmin Falk Jenloween like yesterday!” sen, “and we make sure to some have freshly baked Christmas It is true - But the Holiday cookies for our customers as Season is just around the well.” corner and the city center is bustling with busy shoppers, Another business that doesn’t ready to spend their money. So use Christmas as a significant what does Christmas mean for selling point either is Scandinathe businesses in Copenhagen? visk Data Center. Scandinavisk On the contrary to what one might assume, Christmas doesn’t equal rocketing amounts of customers and sales for all types of businesses.
Data Center is an IT-center that provides all-round service for several financial institutions in Scandinavia. With it’s unique position as an inter-Nordic ITcenter, SDC’s vision is to create a pleasant banking experience
for their clientele at a competitive price. The Christmas festivities are not a part of the branding strategy, as the banks, SDC’s target group, are traditionally finishing their annual reports during this period. Instead, the IT-center uses the Holiday season for something else. “We use Christmas as an opportunity to say thank you to our customers and show them our appreciation for working with us.” says sales and account layout changes as well. During manager at SDC, Jacob Canto week 43-44 21st – 31st of Hallager. October, the Christmas section is built up in the front of the The retail chain Bilka stands store, bulging with chocolates, in sharp contrast to both FoodSanta hats and Christmas deshop no. 26 and Scandinavisk corations. Data Center. “We definitely use Christmas as a part of our sales The surge of customers dustrategy.” says Mia Steffensen, ring this period is also very aphead of decoration and the parent. “The second half of the textile and sports section in year is by far our busiest. ComBilka Fields. “It typically starts pared to the first half of the around Black Friday, which reyear, the increase of customers ally launches the Christmas is approx. 20% throughout sales, but the store has to be the period.” Says Mia Steffendecorated already from week sen, “Christmas is something 42, 13th – 20th of October. that sells; it’s a feeling and an So we start getting our departatmosphere that everyone can ment stores ready for the Horelate to in some way.” lidays already 10 weeks before Christmas.” Even though Bilka starts decorating the same time every The retail store is decorated year, Mia Steffensen still exfrom the middle of October periences customers, who feel with Christmas lights, garlands, it’s too early. “They say “Wow, stars and hearts, as other exisyou guys sure started decorating themes in decoration are ting early!” or “Oh, it just starts slowly phased out. The isle-
earlier and earlier each year, doesn’t it!”, but in fact it’s always the same week we do the decorating. Actually, the decorations have even become simpler these past years, so we have a little less than previously.”
actually hired externs to come and decorate the department stores after that.” So that is why the cities are full of twinkling Christmas lights and tinsel in the shop windows. It’s all for you!
The early decorating of the stores is something very common in retail, and it can be fatal for retail chains if they don’t follow the pattern of other retail stores.
“Customers love that the stores are decorated. They love that there is a special kind of Christmas atmosphere.” Mia Steffensen concludes, “We would lose too many customers, if we didn’t put so much “I know of a different retail effort into decorating.” chain that peeled nearly all of their Christmas decorations We can conclude that even if from the department stores, not all our businesses make a which gave a very negative business of Christmas by earresponse from the customers.” ning more money and getting Says Mia Steffensen, “The cus- more customers, they all think tomers were of the opinion that of Christmas in doing sometthe decorations had become to hing special for their customers sparse, so store lacked the cozy in form of greetings, decorafeeling and Christmas spirit of tions or other treatments. the season. The retail chain
CHRISTMAS BUSINESS IN SLOVAKIA
It´s almost Christmas time again! But rather than give you the same thing every year, „How we do Christmas in Slovakia and more how are the companies influenced by this season? “ Apart from having all family together, eating carp and potato salad, being gifted, it´s mostly about business. Slovak Christmas Trees are decorated with coloured lights, fruits, hand-made decorations made of wood, baked goods made with honey of different shapes like Angels and other religious symbols and sweets. Christmas Trees are kept until January 6th, Feast of the Three Kings. Then the children are finally allowed eat the candies and other sweets from the tree. Christmas gifts are brought on 24th December, after dinner by the Baby Jesus. Is the Baby really presented in each of our gift? Slovaks find answer in different way.Let´s have a look for Slovaks´ companies view. We attended a hotel, a restaurant and an insurance company and interviewed managers, Mr. Durica, Mr. Zeman and Mr. Cas-
nocha. We asked them the same questions and were sure to get more or less the equal answers, but it was a bit diverse. We intended to know whether the companies have extra expenses connected with Christmas time as well as increased profit. In fact, all companies gain extra outlay associated with organizing Christmas parties for their clients and giving small presents to thank them all.These costs are important because they bring higher profit next year, as the partners and clients appreciate their favour. Other charges are linked with decorating, but they usually use the flourish from previous years, just with little changes. It was quite a big surprise for us to hear that companies don´t receive extra profit and more clients are knotted with Christmas. On the contrary, hotels and restaurants have less customers. Are you interested why is it so? The hotel is a business hotel and business clients don ´t travel during that time, they prefer to stay with their families and a restaurant obtains a big competitor, Christmas markets
in our town. People prefer the atmosphere of the markets, meet their friends and enjoy special Christmas meals and drinks. Insurance company has the same amount of the customers. We wanted to know whether there is any change in the offer. Only the owner of the restaurant declared that they add some typical Christmas products, mostly drinks and Christmas menu, others have the same proposal. Christmas time is special time of giving, so we wished to know whether companies organize or take part in charity events. Only insurance company connects this time with charity. They organize golf tournaments for their business partners and during these events they raise money for various charity organizations. Besides, they buy calendars and works of art sold to support ill children. Hotels and restaurants don´t form any special events during this period, but they support these kind of events during the whole year. It was great to hear that all companies gift their employees and the insurance company
arranges Christmas party for them and St Nicolas party for their children. The last question made the managers think more seriously. We wanted to know what they would do for the magic of Christmas if they had unlimited budget and power. Mr. Casnocha would prepare traditional Christmas for all children who don´t have parents, and for those, whose parents don ´t have enough money. Mr. Zeman
would give money to all people in need. Mr Durica was very clear in his message. Magic of Christmas can be created in our hearts and with our families and loved ones. It is not important how much money we have, relationships are important, respect, love and humility. We can´t agree more, we feel the same way, but if we had the power and money, we would ensure all people, especially
children the magic of being loved, respected and treated like kings. The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and of generosity and of goodness. It illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world's busy life and become more interested in people than in things. Patrik Spusta, Boris Pacher, David Kurthy Hotelova academia, Slovakia
P y h ä j o e A.V.I.T.A.E n K u u l u m i s e t – 19 . 12 . 2 0 16
Winter 2015
sivu 19
“What changes in your business during Christmas?”-Greece Here in Arta, we decided to ask this question to three businesses: a books and toys shop, a pastry shop and a cosmetics and beauty store (branch of a greek chain of stores all over Greece). To begin with, the overall impression we got is that in all three businesses Christmas is, undoubtedly, a special season when profits rise. And it may not be an exaggeration to say that this probably applies to any kind of trading activity during this period. Specifically, the owner of the toys and books shop told us that they begin their preparation very early, compared to other shops. They have to change the layout of the shop window so as to bring in a huge Christmas tree, put away their usual stuff and alter the arrangement of their products so as to show the Christmas decorations and toys.
be easier for clients to decide to buy, but always making sure that their products are not to be found elsewhere in the town.
The lady in charge in the cosmetics shop told us that their philosophy doesn’t change dramatically during the Christmas season because it is the firm’s policy to consider every day as a festive day. They always want to make their clients feel happy and at ease. This makes them shop more not only for themselves but also for their beloved ones, especially those that are in need. And Christmas is the time that we make sure to show our care and love for others. She added, though, that no matter how difficult things have become due to the economic Their shop window is of gre- crisis, their kind of business is at importance. They consult doing well because of the kind experts for its decoration. She of products they sell. says that it attracts people and invites them in. As early as it is They are things that ready, people start coming in to people will always need. browse or ask for prices. It’s a Preparing for Christmas, they busier period which means that also hire experts for the deif they need it, they may hire coration of the store and they some extra hands. Definitely, also give more emphasis to the the crisis has changed their at- promotion of certain products titude regarding the products (perfumes, for example). In this they sell. They try to offer lo- case they may even bring in wer cost items so that it would models to advertise them more
effectively. Finally, in the pastry shop they told us that they change their concept of decoration every year and they believe it is an important feature of their marketing strategy. For the holidays they make special sweets associated with the celebration of Christmas (melomakarona, kourampiedes, new year cakes, diples) and their business grows during the Season as people buy sweets for home or as presents and new comers, visitors or tourists are added in their usual clientele. They keep their prices fixed so people will be able to afford buying. Their working hours
are always long 8:00-23:00 contrary to the two other businesses that follow special extended shop hours to enable customers to do their shopping. All three businesses offer some products to charity. They offer sweets to institutions or care homes, give presents for municipality competitions or school events, or as lottery prizes. Christmas is a lucrative business all around the world. It’s a game of offering, taking and offering back. It’s something we all enjoy participating in as it is a great boost for our psychology. It is a festivity made for children and one that makes everybody feel like children. For most
people there is a Santa, secret or not, who takes care of their wishes and needs. We must never forget, though, that there are people and unfortunately, many children among them, who have no one to cater for their needs. We must have our eyes and ears open to detect such cases, offer them a
little present and most importantly of all a warm smile and a feeling of security.
P y h ä j o e A.V.I.T.A.E n K u u l u m i s e t – 19 . 12 . 2 0 16
sivu 20
Winter 2015
What Christmas means for small entrepreneurs in Lucca It’s a chilly November night, the air is sweet and wintery, the shops all open and everyone is walking down the lanes and peeking around at the shop windows: the atmosphere is already Christmassy. Nine of us split up to walk to the shops we have previously decided to visit for the interview. To cover all the different faces of the Christmas spirit from a business-like perspective, we decide to look for different kinds of shops selling such varied goods as flowers, chocolate, toys. Our dilemma is: how does Christmas affect each of these commercial activities? Chocolat is a typical French chocolate shop, whose name comes from the namesake film released in 2000. French design elements are blended with Tuscan pieces, since the general idea aims for internationality. The image is important for the owner because, as he observes: “The business’s image is one of the most appealing aspects for customers.” La città del sole, “The Sunshine City” is a chain of old-school, antique-oriented shops for kids; there are about seventy, the owner tells us, scattered
Made by Elias Hirvikoski from Finland.
around Italy. The one in Lucca, he informs us, was opened in 1994: “this is not an everyday typical shop”, the owner tells us.I fiori di Paola, “Paola’s flowers” is instead a colorful and joyous florist’s, one of the most renown in our town. In a small town like Lucca the wintery atmosphere gets frenzied and sweetly fir scented, the streets get crowded and all decked up, hectic parents and teenagers walk around with a staggering excitement and with Christmas-themed presents in their bags. Certainly more or less every commercial company gets creative on Christmas time, but we wonder what toys are in store for the time when children get more demanding than ever, what flowers can be offered and what chocolate can be tasted to get festive. “Father Christmas”, one of us murmurs with a laughter, “must trigger quite an earning.” What kind of customers do you usually aim to? Toyshop: Our shops sells toys for both kids and adults. All the toys and games are crafted and expected to be interactive
and non-technological, so kids are meant to use their senses and learn to handle, feel and listen. Our target depends on the period, but as for the usual percentage, I would say our customers are 60% kids, whilst a good 40% are adults. Chocolate shop: During the winter our typical customers are Lucca’s inhabitants, while during the summer foreign tourists visit us the most. We can be proud of the fact that our chocolate shop is one of the few that remain open during the summer. However, during the winter our typical products are the cold chocolate spoon, chocolatetopped fruit and home-made cookies.
mics, but hopefully in a positive way.Chocolate shop: Our strategy is to keep the customers that we have and to draw new ones, promoting tastes of every type of chocolate. We work for quality, kindness and for the personalization of the products; our specialties are chili pepper-chocolate, truffle walnut and ginger, honey covered fried rice balls and honey-covered marron glacés. What’s more, to give a personal touch to our recipes we also use spices like pepper, aniseeds and tea, especially to make hot chocolates and chocolate candies.
Over Christmas the comHow does the flow of petition is high. How do you costumers change during face it? Do you have any par- Christmas time? ticular Toyshop: “Christmas Toyshop: We believe that kids starts in November for a are always kids, no matter what shop owner”, as I always the season or the century is, so say. Christmas is of course that’s what we base our choi- the busiest time of the year ces on. Thereby we sell mostly in our shop. Parents come classic toys, many are even the to buy presents, but also same as they were forty years young people come to find oriago, yet still unabridged and ginal gifts... you definitely notiglobally appre- ce a big difference as regards ciated. Most the amount of customers and of our toys the income as well, as a consedon’t derive quence. from cartoons or adverts; the Chocolate shop: Of course a only thing that lot of things change. Christmas changes from is one the most important optime to time portunities for us; we focus on is the design, the biscuit decorations for the but the toy Christmas trees, gifts and preis still what it sents. We don’t really produce was back in the specific products for Christpast. That’s mas, but we propose special why we didn’t boxes containing several goureven perceive mandises made by our chocothe obvious late lab. change of the generations: Flower shop: Of course we necessities and get busier on Christmas time. demands are I usually sell a lot of mistletoe, still the same. hollies and obviously many For us the firs. Decorations like garlands, most impor- candles and floral arrangetant thing is an ments, made mostly with artifiactive approa- cial flowers but also with fresh ch to the toy, flowers, are highly requested whichever it is, too. They’re used as centerand this falls pieces on Christmas and New outside of the Year’s Eve, so I usually sell many general 21st of these century dynaAs regards the way your
shop appears, what changes te the shop through the local for Christmas? Any make- newspapers mostly.When the over? Advent calendar announces the beginning of the final countToyshop: We don’t actually down to Christmas, shop owdo much decoration. We are ners can keep their shops open pretty traditional on this front till midnight on Friday and Satoo, so the shop stays more or turday before Christmas Eve. It less what it is throughout the all makes the town more lively year. Of course we put some and brighter. What we got out festive stickers, like snowflakes, of these interesting interviews on the door to just fit in with is the fact that on Christmas the general spirit, but as for the time the number of customers rest we keep it simple and plain. definitely rises, but what catMaybe that’s where you see ches more buyers is not necesa difference as well, since we sarily the use of overabundant don’t opt for an eye-catching decorations: for example, a visibility, as many other shops traditional and purposely sodo. We count on our toys; usu- ber shop, like La città del sole, ally a couple decorations and doesn’t believe in decorations stickers will do, but we don’t as a means to attract custowant any distractions, for we mers, whilst I fiori di Paola told like to think that the customers’ us how important it is to make eyes are caught by the toys the atmosphere more festive only and nothing else. when Christmas is round the corner.Either way, Christmas Flower shop: I decorate the represents quite an opportuinside and the shop windows nity for any entrepreneurial with lights which intrigue pas- initiative, no matter how decoser-bies. I cannot forget things rated or “plain” it decides to be. like garlands, adorned trees, artificial snow and musk because Class IVB Liceo Classico Mathey are a Christmassy must. chiavelli - Italy Advertising is fundamental in this period, so I try to promo-