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Christmas Peace Declared in Turku

The traditional message of Christmas Peace was declared midday Wednesday in the city of Turku. Local people gathered in cloudy weather to hear the message delivered at the Old Great Square by the city's Chief of Administration Jouko K. Lehmusto.

The Christmas Peace has been proclaimed in Finland since medieval times. The version that is currently read out from a parchment roll was written from memory by the secretary of the registry office after the 1827 Turku fire destroyed the original.

At the ceremony, the Band of the Archipelago Fleet of the Finnish Navy and the men's choir Laulun Ystävät played and sung Christmas carols. The event ended in traditional style with the "Porilaisten marssi" (The March of the Pori Regiment).

The Declaration of Christmas Peace has been aired on radio since 1935 and televised since 1983.

Sources: YLE