Since the fourteenth century (with rare exceptions during times of war or foreign occupation) Finns have made a Declaration of Christmas Peace. The most well-known proclamation takes place at noon every Christmas Eve in the Old Great Square of Turku, the country’s former capital, but there are similar declarations in other Finnish towns. It is broadcast on radio, television, and the internet.
The ceremony opens with band music and a sing-along which concludes with Martin Luther’s hymn “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”. This is followed by the Declaration of Christmas Peace read in the Finnish and Swedish languages from a parchment roll:
“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.”