Rovaniemi, a living proof why keep The Dream Alive

City far, far away on the Arctic Circle 

People have always told stories, to lift spirits and raise faith and to educate the new generations about bravery. We believe this is the time for inspiring stories, stories of dreams worth fighting for, maybe even dreams built from the ashes. Where the Arctic region begins, stands the city of Rovaniemi with a town plan shaped like a reindeer head, designed by Alvar Aalto a famous Finnish architect. Located on the Arctic Circle the city of Rovaniemi bathes in the light of the Midnight Sun during the summer months and in the mystical light of the Polar Night known as “Kaamos” during wintertime and in the magical light of the Northern Lights in the autumn and winter. These light phenomena have a spellbound connection to the Finnish folklore and stories about shamans, spells and spirits that intertwine with the vast and rugged arctic nature and people. Little did these arctic people know that this city far from the worries of the world was to play the part of a battlefield, in a world-changing conflict.

Love and goodness will grow out of hard times

This summer is the 70th anniversary of Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi Lapland. Our story begins when Rovaniemi was almost completely destroyed in World War II. And in 1950, the wife of US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, chose to visit Rovaniemi to see how this little arctic city on the edge of the world was rebuilding its self from the ashes. When she wished to visit the Arctic Circle, the Rovaniemi officials decided to build a cabin eight kilometers north from the city. This little cabin, still standing today, marked the birth of Santa Claus Village. This story, also shared by CNN is what we all must believe today, that in this crisis, love and goodness will grow out of hard times and ashes.

Little acts of kindness 

In 1985 Santa Claus decided to establish an office in Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland. And after many years of goodwill and keeping the dream alive Rovaniemi received the status of  The Official Hometown of Santa Claus in 2010. Acting as a guardian of goodwill in these hard times is vital to those in need of magic, giving and caring. As one of our values is a constant presence, we feel that in this moment, when traveling to follow your dreams is forbidden and even hugs, are considered banned, we must listen even more carefully to the little dreams whispered in the air, the air that we all share on this globe.

Therefore we, believers in dreams and magic, challenge you all to listen and to do little acts of kindness, the form of magic the world now needs the most.