Sylvia’s Christmas carol was removed from The Most Beautiful Christmas Carols

And so Christmas has to be in the North again – but this year without Sylvia’s Christmas carol.

The Christmas song loved by many was left out of this year’s list of the most beautiful Christmas songs. The decision was made by the jury of cantors. Several people have expressed their disappointment with the decision.

Sylvia’s Christmas Carol has been left out of the song list only once in the 2000s: in 2001.

The most beautiful Christmas carols is a joint singing and charity event organized by the Finnish Missionary Society since 1973. The most beautiful Christmas carols are held every year in different parts of the country and also internationally, for example in Australia and Canada.

The event is big: almost one in three Finns attend the events.

A new Christmas carol booklet is always made for the event, the content of which is decided by cantors selected from different parts of Finland.

In addition, the Finnish Mission Society collects feedback from congregations and the public. Every year, the organization publishes a vote for the most beautiful Christmas carol on its website. Now, before mid-December, more than 10,000 responses have already been received.

“After Christmas, all material, including wish songs, will be analysed”, says the head of fundraising for the Finnish Mission Society Hanna Kalanne.

Beloved Sylvia’s Christmas Carol the idea behind the removal is the accessibility of the event.

“Last spring, we decided to include more newer songs,” says Kalanne.

With newer songs, Kalanne means those that typically have not been seen on the pages of the song editor. Many of them are also more familiar to foreigners and those who have moved to the country. In this way, they can also be included in the event. We want the event to reach as many people as possible.

“But every year someone thinks that a song shouldn’t have been deleted,” says Kalanne.

Now feedback has been received Sylvia’s Christmas Carol in addition also Let Christmas come – about the exhaustion of the song.

According to Kalante’s understanding Sylvia’s Christmas Carol was removed because it is not easy for the general public.

by Karl Collan composed in 1855, the song is slow-tempo and its notes sometimes rise high.

“The decision to remove Sylvia from the board was unanimous,” says Kalanne.

That’s why the amount of feedback was surprising.

“We didn’t think the song would be so special, even though it is important to Finns,” says Kalanne.

It’s not just an avalanche of feedback, the head of fundraising clarifies. About ten messages tinged with disappointment have arrived. According to Kalantee, they have been matter-of-fact and polite. It has been hoped in the feedback that Sylvia’s Christmas Carol would be taken back into the program next year.

“It may very well be possible that Sylvia and also Let Christmas come will be found again next year in the enemy”, says Kalanne.

Sylvia’s Christmas Carol was included in the songbook in 1982. In the 20th century, the song was in the repertoire for only seven years.

The removal of the song was reported earlier this week Church and city.

This one this year’s songbook has 28 songs, six of which are the most beautiful children’s songs. The number is higher than in several years. Usually 20–30 songs are chosen.

The most common song sung at the event is The country is so beautiful. It has been left out only once during the 53-year run of The Most Beautiful Christmas Carols.

“We will not remove it, and we are not even considering removing it,” says Kalanne.