CNN reporter Richard Quest looks for Christmas spirit at Arctic Circle
Santa Claus explains why celebrating Christmas is worth the trouble
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By Niina Pasula
Early on Wednesday morning, Santa’s workshop at the Arctic Circle fills with cameramen. A microphone is placed underneath Santa’s beard, as Father Christmas himself makes sure that his spectacles are clean.
Behind the corner, famous CNN reporter Richard Quest clears out his smoker’s cough.
As the taping begins, Quest, clad in jeans and a green knit shirt, steps into the light, sporting a smile as broad as one might see in a chewing gum advertisement.
Quest travelled from London to Rovaniemi to find out what the Christmas spirit is all about. The Santa interview is part of an episode of Quest’s own show to be aired in December called "Quest for Festival Spirits".
Quest asks Santa to explain how to defend Christmas to people who see it merely as a commercial celebration.
Santa answers that celebrations are more fun if gifts and decorations are involved. "Still, the thought is most important. For instance, this card will always remind me of you", Santa answers, tapping the giant Christmas card brought to him by Richard Quest.
The card was designed by Quest himself, and in it he asks Santa to remove him from the list of naughty children.
Quest is a Jew, so for him, there really is no Santa Claus. No problem, though, because Quest feels that the idea of the holidays is similar regardless of religion.
"People have time for each other. Small gifts and cards say that you are a part of my life even though we do not meet very often."
When the deepest nature of Christmas is clarified, Quest and Santa Claus move on to more concrete matters.
In the interview it comes out that Santa Claus listens to traditional Christmas carols as he hands out gifts, and hopes that children would leave carrots for Rudolph on Christmas Eve.
"Wouldn’t you like it if people would leave a glass of sherry for you?" Quest asks with a grin.
He actually knows Santa from three years ago, when Quest first visited Finland.
In spite of their previous acquaintance, Santa agrees to give the "Ho ho ho" greeting only after considerable persuasion. In his view, this greeting is primarily the trademark of American Santa-impersonators.
The final comments by Quest, presented in his trademark raspy and somewhat artificial voice, raise a smile out of Santa Claus.
The voice may sound artificial, but Quest’s boundless energy and friendliness appear genuine, as they continue even after the floodlights have been switched off.
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 6.12.2007
The programme "Quest for Festival Spirits" will be shown on CNN International on December 22nd and 23rd. After that the programme can be viewed on line at edition.cnn.com/CNNI/Programs/quest .
NIINA PASULA / Helsingin Sanomat
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| 11.12.2007 - THIS WEEK |
 CNN reporter Richard Quest looks for Christmas spirit at Arctic Circle |
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