芬兰：圣诞老人的家乡

文/Diego

芬兰或许是小国，却大有味道。空气洁净、景色壮美，既是千湖之国，又是森林之地。芬兰是个充满了有趣对比的国度，有分明的四季，有极昼和极夜。对了，你是否知道，全世界孩子们都爱的圣诞老人，他的家乡就在芬兰呢？

Located in Northern Europe,Finland has a total area of almost 340,000 square kilometers,ranked the 64th in the world,with a population of 5.5 million people.Finland is a small country,with even lower population density（密度）,ranked 201st in the world.Sitting in one of the coldest regions of the world,Finland sees polar days and polar nights.In the cold winter days,there are over 50 consecutive（连续的）nights without sunrise, while in the warm summer,the sun does not set for over 70 days.The extreme weather has trained Finnish people to be tolerant（容忍的）and accepting.

芬兰位于欧洲北部，国土面积约34万平方千米，全世界排名第64位，人口约550万。芬兰是一个小国，人口密度更低，排在世界第201位。地处世界上最冷的区域之一，芬兰有极昼和极夜。在寒冷的冬日，连续有50多个极夜，完全看不到太阳；而在夏天，年均有70多天太阳不下山。极端的天气造就了芬兰人总体而言隐忍和不习惯抱怨的性格。

Ho Ho Ho,Santa’s Home

Legend has it,Finland was the very first country that welcomed Santa Claus home. The Northern Lapland region.

Korvatunturi,translated into English as“Ear Mountain”,goes all the way to the Arctic ocean（北冰洋）.And Santa Claus got to hear all children’s wishes from all over the world with the help of the“Ear Mountain”.Thus,he can lead 20,000 reindeer（驯鹿）and deliver gifts that are prepared by elves,to each child on Christmas eve. Although many western countries have tried to make Santa Claus theirs,in 1995,the United Nation secretary mailed a holiday card to Santa Claus to Rovaniemi in Finland,which officially confirmed Finland as the hometown to Santa Claus.

The post office in the Santa Claus village in Rovaniemiisno doubtthe busiestin the world.Children write to this address every day from everywhere,despite polardays and nights,Santa Claus and his elves always reply to each letter with sincere hearts.

圣诞老人的家

历史上传说，芬兰是圣诞老人最早定居的国家。

位于芬兰拉普兰省的“耳朵山”通往北冰洋。圣诞老人正是借助这只“耳朵”，才能在遥远的北极听到全世界孩子们的愿望，并在圣诞节前夜带领两万头驯鹿，将精灵准备的礼物送到每一个孩子的手中。虽然西方不少国家一直想争夺圣诞老人的国籍，但在1995年，联合国秘书长将一张发给圣诞老人的贺卡寄到芬兰的罗瓦涅米，相当于正式承认了芬兰作为圣诞老人家乡的地位。

罗瓦涅米的圣诞老人村里，有全世界最忙碌的邮局，每天要接收来自全世界小朋友的来信。圣诞老人和他的精灵们，无论极昼还是极夜，都会真诚地回复每一封来信。

At Least One Meter,Please

Finnish people are generally considered tolerant and introverted（内向的）.They value personal space and can endure（忍耐）extreme heat or cold.

Due to the low population density,Finnish people give priorities to individual space and safe distance between them and others.And there comes the world famous“Finnish Quene”.

No matter where you go,from bus stops,shops to any place that requires a line,Finnish people normally keep a distance from each other of at least one meter,despite the fact they may suffer from rain or wind.In Finland,it’s rare to see people try to squeeze（拥挤）to hide under the shade to avoid rain or snow.Riding public transportation,strangers would rather stand far away from each other than sharing two seats next to each other.

至少一米的安全距离

芬兰人性格中的隐忍、内向，使他们格外看重个人空间，同时也能够忍耐酷暑或严寒。

由于人口密度极低，芬兰人非常讲究个人的独立空间，彼此保持安全距离，于是就有了世界闻名的“芬兰式排队”。

无论是在公交车站、商店外面，还是任何需要排队的地方，芬兰人宁愿被风吹雨淋，也要保持彼此间几乎一米的距离。在芬兰，很难看到有人为了躲避雨水或雪花而争相躲避到遮阳篷下的场景。乘坐公共交通工具，不认识的人宁愿隔得远远地站着，也不会彼此并肩坐在一起。

Sauna And Alcohol

The winter in Finland is long and cold,often with a temperature of lower than minus 30 to 40 degrees Celsius. The cold, along with the consecutive polarnightswhere the sun doesnot rise for almost two months,restrict（限制）Finnish people’s outdoor activities.As a result,the Sauna has become the locals’favorite.Sauna is also the only Finnish word that has been universally accepted and used.No matterage,genderand location,Finnish people willtake offthe thick jacket along with the cold air,and jump into the steamy（充满蒸汽的）Sauna room,until they are all red and sweaty.Sauna helps people forget about the cold and winter.

The faraway Finland has freezing cold weather,and passionatesauna.Finnish peopleendureand enjoy the cold,while Santa Claus is busy realizing all children’s dreams and wishes.

蒸着桑拿喝着小酒

芬兰的冬季漫长而寒冷，温度常常保持在零下三四十摄氏度。再加上极夜的到来，让人在将近两个月的日子里“不见天日”。于是，芬兰人冬天的户外活动受到极大限制，而能够让芬兰人保持温暖的桑拿，就成了当地人最喜欢的选择。桑拿浴（Sauna）一词源自芬兰语，也是芬兰语中唯一一个全世界通用的单词。不分年龄、性别、地点，只要条件允许，大家就会脱下厚厚的衣服，卸下寒气，跳进充满热气的桑拿房，蒸个满头大汗、全身通红，将寒冷和冬天抛之脑后。

遥远的芬兰，有冰天雪地，也有热情似火。有人们对极端天气的忍耐，更有圣诞老人红红火火，忙着实现全世界每一个小朋友的愿望和梦想。