How Rovaniemi became the world's official 'Santa Claus Village'? (Image Source: AI-Generated)
Lifestyle Desk, New Delhi. Just imagine... white sheets of snow all around, reindeer rides and Christmas happiness in the air. This picture is of Santa Claus's official home 'Rovaniemi'. The world considers it a magical city, but did you know that behind all this magic lies a creepy past?
The place which we today consider to be the guarantee of happiness, had to burn itself to ashes to achieve this happiness. Yes, just beneath the fairy-tale lights and sleigh rides lies a painful history made up of war, colonial exploitation and the struggle for survival.
This story of Santa's town is not about fairies, but about rising from the ashes after destruction. Let us know about that dark history, which is still buried under layers of snow.
History before Santa's arrival
Long before Santa Claus became famous, the city of Rovaniemi in Lapland, Finland, was a center of northern trade. The place originally belonged to the Sami people, who are the only recognized indigenous people of Europe.
The life of the Sami people depended entirely on reindeer (snow deer). They made a living through reindeer husbandry and fishing for generations. Reindeer provided them with food, clothing and tools, but after the 17th century, the expansion of the Nordic countries changed their world. Borders divided the Sami community into Finland, Sweden, Norway and Russia. Their language was banned and their culture was marginalized as 'backward'. Even today they are fighting for their land and rights.
when the city was burned to the ground
The real darkness for Rovaniemi came in the 1930s. In 1939, Russia attacked this peaceful city. To protect itself, Finland joined hands with Germany. The German army came here and changed the map of the city. He built an airport here (today known as 'Santa's Official Airport') and built barracks, where 'Santa Claus Village' stands today.
However, when the tide of war turned in 1944, the German army had to leave. On their way, German soldiers set the entire city of Rovaniemi on fire and laid landmines. In this fire, 90% of the city was burnt to ashes. When people returned to their homes from Sweden, there was nothing left but debris.
Santa's city reborn from the ashes
After the destruction, Finland's great architect Alvar Aalto was given the responsibility to rebuild the city. He made the map of the city in the shape of 'reindeer horns'.
The city's development as a tourist center began in 1950, when Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of US President Franklin Roosevelt, wanted to visit here. A wooden cabin was prepared to welcome him in just a week. This cabin later became a major tourist attraction.
How was Santa Claus Village made?
The city continued to develop as tourism increased. In 1984, Concorde planes started bringing tourists here and local businessmen established 'Santa Claus Village'.
According to Finnish legends, Santa's real home is in 'Korvatuntuari', which is 200 miles north of here and is very difficult to reach. Therefore, Rovaniemi itself was made Santa's home so that people could meet him.
Today, Rovaniemi welcomes more than 6 million tourists every year. The city is living proof of how happiness can be regained through hope and faith even after war and destruction.
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