German Postal Workers Cycle Nearly 2,000 Miles to Deliver Christmas Wishes to Santa in Finland
ST. NIKOLAUS, Germany – In a heartwarming tradition spanning over five decades, three Deutsche Post postal workers began a remarkable 2,983-kilometer (1,853-mile) bicycle journey on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023, from St.Nikolaus, Germany, to Rovaniemi, Finland – the official home of Santa Claus Village. The mission: to deliver thousands of Christmas letters and wish lists directly to Santa.
The annual pilgrimage, initiated in 1967, sees the cyclists traversing Germany, denmark, and Sweden before reaching their final destination on the Arctic Circle. This year’s team,comprised of postal workers Markus Klein,42,Sabine Weber,35,and jan Richter,28,were personally handed the letters by St. Nikolaus himself, a local figure known for his purple cape and golden staff.
The st. Nikolaus post office, boasting its own dedicated postal code (66793), receives over 30,000 letters annually addressed to Santa Claus and Saint Nick from children around the globe. Each letter receives a personalized response, complete with a unique commemorative stamp designed specifically for the tradition. The replies are crafted by a dedicated team of Deutsche Post volunteers.
Rovaniemi, a city of approximately 62,000 residents in Finnish Lapland, has become a major tourist destination centered around Santa Claus Village. The amusement park, which opened in 1997, attracts over 800,000 visitors each year, contributing significantly to the local economy. However,the influx of tourists has also raised concerns about overtourism,prompting local authorities to explore lasting tourism practices.
Germany itself recognizes the importance of Christmas tradition, with seven towns and cities sharing names evoking the holiday spirit, all of which serve as collection points for letters to Santa. This year, St.Nikolaus also submitted his own wish list to Santa, hoping for a reply from the man in red.
The cyclists anticipate arriving in Rovaniemi in approximately two weeks, just in time for the peak of the Christmas season. Deutsche Post covers all logistical costs associated with the journey, viewing it as a vital part of their community engagement and a celebration of the holiday spirit.
Related: Inside Santa Claus Village in Finland, rovaniemi Grapples with Overtourism as Santa’s Popularity Soars
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