Not So Silent Night: Tradition, Transformation and Cultural Understandings of Christmas Music Events in Helsinki, Finland

The aim of this research was to investigate the characteristics of Finnish joulumusiikki (Christmas music) concerts and sing-alongs-popular events attended by over one-fifth of Finnish people. Joulumusiikki events were studied through ethnographic observations and interviews conducted at five prominent Christmas music venues in the capital city, Helsinki. Findings highlight how these events may be understood as rituals that both maintain traditions and mediate the transformations of contemporary Finnish society. Joulumusiikki events were selected as they provide opportunities for the celebration of distinctively Finnish ideals. Thus, joulumusiikki events are seen as both expressions and constructions of 'Finnishness' and an important social tradition that continues to evolve and transform. With very little research previously published on such topics, this study offers preliminary but important insights into the significance of Christmas music events in Finnish society that have a powerfully affective connection to cultural heritage.