Excerpts from the diary that Luumu - Finnish Living’s Founder kept while living and studying at University in Tampere (2011-2012) and Oulu (2013-2015). The following covers Christmas in Tampere.
December 24, 2011
Merry Christmas! Well, Christmas Eve at least! I am baking pulla with Nastya. Basically no one is here in Lapinkaari. That is ok. It makes using the kitchen much easier and I can sing in my room. On Thursday, I went out to the Turtola shopping area. Not as big as Lielahti, but still nice. I bought some ribbon that wasn’t on sale and then got some just like it at Tiimari in Tulintori for 70% off. Well, lets just say I’ll have enough “Hyvää joulua” ribbon for a while.
After that adventure, we went to Siina’s for sushi. It turned out really good. It was made with gravlax or graavilohi (in Finnish). Very delicious. I managed to eat it with chopsticks!
FYI: NO SNOW HERE! Well, except really lame clumps of old, dirty snow. Very disappointing.
Today I went to Vanha Kirkko (built in 1824) for the Christmas service. I thought I would be getting there in plenty of time, but no. It started at 12:15 and I arrived at 12 to find a FULL church. Good thing I was by myself, because after walking up and down the cross-shaped arrangement of pews several times a single open spot was pointed out next to an older lady. She was really nice. The service featured a male choir who sang some hymns by themselves and led the congregation for three others. “Maa on niin kaunis” was one of the hymns sung together. Very beautiful. It was nice to have a virsikirja. There were so many people in the church that some had to use the Swedish hymnal! It was about 35°F today, so after the ceremony I walked back to Lapinkaari. Probably a good idea considering how much pulla I plan on consuming! : )
Are you interested in baking pulla (Finnish cardamom bread) or any other Finnish treats this season? Check out our recipes page!
