It is the weekend before Easter, which means that it is Virvonta, a tradition a little like trick and treating in the US, where the kids decorate pussywillow branches with feathers and ribbon, dress up as witches (cute ones) and door knock, singing a song and giving a decorated twig, in exchange for sweets. It is a very old pagan tradition, not a religious one. But over the last decade or two, rather than dressing up as witches, the impact of Halloween has diluted it into dress up as whatever. For the last few years, the option has been the same for Smallsteps - a mouse.
At this time of year, it can be that it is relatively warm, or like it is now, with a lot of snow on the ground still. This affects finding pussywillow branches to decorate. The grandparents found some on their walks, but they weren't the most glamorous of versions this year. Smallsteps and I bought some extra feathers (we had some from prior years) and some pink ribbon last weekend in preparation, and we spent an hour or two as a family decorating them yesterday, which is always a nice time. Smallsteps talks constantly about the colors she uses and why, as well as working out "new" ways to wrap ribbons or the furry pipe-cleaners around the branches.
What I like about Finland, is that while it is changing, there are still a lot of pretty basic "events" around that are easy to organize. Finns are pretty basic in general, in the sense that they don't require a lot of glitz and glamor to have a good time. This is more visible in the summer, where there are various local events where there is a few stalls selling some handicrafts, and a pony ride - and thousands of people go. But, in general, it is pretty relaxed here.
But, it is changing. For instance, the event today is for young kids up to the age of maybe nine, but more and more there are teenagers knocking on doors, with very crappy decorations. Not only that, they are asking for money, not candy. And over the last few years, there have been articles written about how much money to give them.
Fuck that.
Smallsteps and I went and bought some treats for any doorknockers who might visit, but we haven't had a single one so far. Though, we were also out doing our rounds, visiting family during "prime" hours. So some might have come while we were away.
Because Smallsteps has allergies, there generally isn't much candy, but this year she did get a few lollipops, along with the notepads and pencils that she loves so much. From her grandparents, she also got a boiled egg with faces drawn on it, and when we got home, she put all of the stuff she got on the kitchen table, licked her lips and chose to eat the boiled egg. So far at least, she gets her teeth from her mother.
I have the sweetest tooth.
We are actually pretty lucky with Smallsteps, as despite her allergies when young, she still hasn't clambered on the sugar train yet. She enjoys sweets, but it isn't a thing for her, and definitely not a reward. Which means that there can be sweet food in the cupboard, but she doesn't want it at all.
Me on the other hand.
Which reminds me, after a couple weeks off due to illness, I should be getting my ass to the gym.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
Nice celebration I have not heard of previously, keeping traditions within communities is extra special, something little ones never forget, nor do we.
It varies slightly across Finland, but in general, it is pretty much the same. At Midsummer, they light a bonfire to scare the witches away :)
Did hear about the midsummer bonfire which sounds fun, mostly thought of maypole festivities up North at this time of year, ours is harvest festival being end of seasonal crops.
Yeah - the Swedes do the maypole, but with a largish Swedish community on the west coast of Finland, some do it there also :)
I don't think they have an end of season one - though there is an informal "venetsialaiset" event that marks the end of boating and summer cottage life before the winter :)
Regional traditions always interesting to learn about, each has their own carried down through generations.
I had zero idea about this Halloween-like tradition, but it sounds lovely. And Smallsteps looks just adorable in that <3 what a sweetheart!
I'd completely forgotten what time it was, though Romania not being a Catholic country, it is easy to get overlooked. When I was a kid (and still observing religious events) all we did for Palm Sunday was go to church. They did sell pussywillow branches outside, but all in all, I reckon Finland knows how to party a lot better xD
What is the main religion in Romania? In Finland it is Lutheran, but there aren't many serious religious people here.
Orthodox here, though for most, going to church for 5 minutes on Easter is about the long and short of it.
Dear @tarazkp !
I'm amazed that Smallsteps dresses up as a mouse!😃
Did she disguise herself as a mouse for a pagan festival in Finland?
Does the mouse symbolize abundance in Finland?
Because in the world I live in, mouses are evil creatures.
So, A traditional festival is held to kill mouses.
Jwibulnori
They hold a festival where they set fire to the fields to kill rats and insects, hoping for a good harvest in the new year.
That sounds pretty cruel.
Rats are evil beings that spread infectious diseases and steal human food.😯
The Black Death
Lovely
@tipu curate
Upvoted 👌 (Mana: 42/62) Liquid rewards.
Lovely, little fun for @smallsteps🥰
I’m surprised hearing Virvonta
It’s like they have so many celebrations or festivals in the US
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I love the new dress up as whatever, it kinda makes it more lively and filled with varieties.
Lol, I thought this happened only in my location, never knew it is more like a general behaviour.
Sorry about the illness, glad you are back. Perhaps you should actually hit the gym, but no rush.
Mr. Taraz that girl is beautiful with her costume, and best of all she is creating moments like this tradition for her memories, when she is an adult, part of adding things to her cultural load.
Beautiful tradition I did not know, I was reading that girls learn to make a spell and recite it while visiting each house in exchange for money or sweets for the willow branch or the feather, how cute, thanks for sharing this tradition. life, health and lots of sweets for the beautiful little mouse.
I think it's a good thing that she isn't too fond of sweets. Not only can they cause cavities, they are addictive as well. While I think she should try to outgrow her allergies, I don't see any rush to do so.
She is very cute.. And her make up is very succesful. 👍
That is so much mouse gear, did it come in a set 😆
When she hits some age where she doesn’t do the twig thing anymore you’re going to have to make a compilation post showing all the twigs over the years 😆
What a cutie little moussie and all her Holiday loot! Lucky that she is not into sugar, maybe you will be lucky and she will never take to it, some kids are smarter then we are. With allergies, self control against treat temptations is an asset especially when she gets older and being more on her own with friends.
I'm a total sweet tooth kinda person but I have severe food allergies too so I can relate to being turned off by most sweets and choosing more organic/whole simpler food because of it to avoid ingredient cross contamination. Her instincts already knows what's right for her.
We don't have that in our country 😆 people might shoot at whoever knocks on their front door🤣🤣
Oh yeah, heck no. I'd be slamming the door in their face if people showed up to my door asking for money. My wife and I don't even turn on our light to hand out candy most years. It's just too much work for the small number of kids we get in our neighborhood around Halloween.