Some simple drawings for the newspaper of NordicFuzzCon: "What The Fuzz". A daily publication availabe for all the attendees, during the 5 days of the convention. On the back of every paper, there was a curious fact about Nordic jul and winter traditions.
Gävle Goat
Every winter, the Gävle Goat is erected in Gävle, Sweden – a giant version of the traditional straw-made Yule Goat. It has has become famous for being a frequent victim of vandalism, most often arson. Check out the Wikipedia article (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%A4vle_goat) for a humorous and detailed timeline outlining the security measures taken to secure the goat and how the goat has met its demise through the years. Rock & Roll Wolf
While it has little to do with Yuletide or winter, the Soviet-French-Romanian musical Rock & Roll Wolf (1981) has somehow become a staple of Norwegian yule-TV, airing December 26th every year. A mother goat tries protecting her children from the big bad wolf and his gang. It is wonderfully entertaining, with live action actors dressed up in creative animal costumes.
Howliday Traditions: Sankta Lucia
On December 13th every year, Sankta Lucia day is celebrated throughout the Nordic countries with processions of people in white garb, carrying candles and singing the traditional Sankta Lucia song while handing out baked goods (lussekatter) to bystanders. Don’t ask why, just enjoy the singing and the free food!
Pikkujoulu
Pikkujoulu, which translates to “little Christmas”, is a Finnish pre-Christmas party tradition usually celebrated late November or early December. A typical pikkujoulu party will include seasonal food, singing, a generous amount of alcohol, and perhaps police intervention if things get too rowdy (which is not uncommon).
Howliday Traditions: Televised Advent Calendars
Since the 1950s, so-called “advent calendar” TV-series have become a staple of winter time in the Nordic countries, with the first episode airing on December 1st and the last on the 24th. One of the most successful shows was the Danish The Julekalender – about a group of Americanized nisser who must find a music box key before it’s too late – which was remade in both Norway and Finland.
