Christmas Peace

Christmas Peace (Finnish: joulurauha, Swedish: julfrid) is a tradition based on old Swedish legislation created by Birger Jarl in the 13th century, extending the tradition of the Truce of God. Offenders who committed crimes on religious holidays like Christmas were given harsher punishments. Today it is a tradition to recommend that people behave in a respectful and peaceful manner at Christmas.[1] The Declaration of Christmas Peace has remained in Finland where it is an essential part of the Christmas tradition.[2]

Declaration of Christmas Peace in 2014 in front of the old town hall of Porvoo, Finland

Declaration of Christmas Peace in Finland
Declaration of Christmas Peace at the Old Great Square of Turku in 2009

Today, the tradition of Christmas Peace survives mainly in Finland, which was an integral part of Sweden from the late 13th Century until 1809. Declaration of Christmas Peace is announced in several Finnish cities on Christmas Eve.

The oldest and most popular event is held at noon at the Old Great Square of the former Finnish capital Turku[3] where the declaration has been read since the 1320s.[2] The most significant exceptions to this are thought to be the years of the Greater Wrath when Finland was under Russian occupation which lasted from 1712 to 1721, and the single years missed during both the 1917 militia strike and the Winter War year of 1939.[2] There may also have been a break between 1800 and 1815.[2] In 2020, the Christmas Peace will be declared without an audience due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

The Turku declaration has been broadcast by the Finnish Broadcasting Company since 1935. National television broadcasts started in 1983 and the Turku declaration has also been seen on the Swedish television since 1986. The event can be viewed via the internet as well. Besides Turku, the declaration is also announced in some of the oldest Finnish towns like Rauma, Porvoo, Pori[2] and the Estonian city of Tartu.[5]

Music has been a part of the event since the 17th century. Traditional instruments used include the bagpipes, timpanis and various string instruments.[1] The current format was established in 1903.[1] It starts with the hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" and is followed by the declaration which is announced by a city official at midday. As the declaration is read in Finnish and Swedish, the public sings the Finnish national anthem in both languages afterward. The event ends with March of the Men of Pori which is usually played by a local military band, usually from the Finnish Navy.

The text

The present version of the Turku declaration was written down in 1827. The text used differs in other.[2]

English translation of the Turku Declaration of Christmas Peace:[2]

"Tomorrow, God willing, is the graceful celebration of the birth of our Lord and Saviour;
and thus is declared a peaceful Christmas time to all, by advising devotion and to behave otherwise quietly and peacefully,
because he who breaks this peace and violates the peace of Christmas by any illegal or improper behaviour shall under aggravating circumstances be guilty
and punished according to what the law and statutes prescribe for each and every offence separately.
Finally, a joyous Christmas feast is wished to all inhabitants of the city."
  • Finnish Navy Band playing in Turku
  • Balcony in Turku where the declaration is announced
  • Declaration of Christmas Peace at the Old Town Hall of Pori

See also

References
  1. Roots of the Christmas Peace in ancient peace legislation Archived 2013-12-12 at the Wayback Machine City of Turku. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  2. The Declaration of Christmas Peace Archived 2013-12-12 at the Wayback Machine City of Turku. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  3. Mobilereference (2007). All About Christmas. ISBN 978-1-60501-185-1.
  4. "The Declaration of the Christmas Peace without an audience in 2020". City of Turku. 15 December 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  5. Christmas Peace is Proclaimed, Tartu Postimees.ee, retrieved 26 December 2013
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