Santa Claus’ Office is right near the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland. The Arctic Circle is an imaginary line above which the sun never sets in summer for at least one night of the year. This is offset by the winter darkness known as kaamos, when the Northern Lights dancing in the sky are most brilliant of all.
The Northern Lights are known to be caused by particles discharged by the sun as they enter the atmosphere. But according to ancient belief, they are caused by a fox’s tail brushing the mountain snows. Hence their Finnish name, “Fox Flames”.
You cannot see the Arctic Circle. Its location at 66° 32’ 35’’ is also recognised as the border between the hectic and non-hectic world. Anyone crossing it is filled with a sense of calm and forgets the busy world he or she has come from. What better place could there be for a meeting with Santa Claus?
