December 13th Old Town Raahe Advent Calendar

During the era of sailing ships, a flag (known as "flaku") was raised on the flagpole on the roof of the Sailors' House as a sign that the sailors' positions on ships were open. Those who were embarking on their first journey would visit the town hall to swear an oath. 

December is approaching its midpoint, and the elves' duties are increasing day by day. Counting work hours is futile. Elf Briskie has been quietly tiptoeing around Katinhäntä quaters throughout the evening. The December evening has turned into night when he's still wandering along Rantakatu street. He stops to look at the Packhouse Museum's advent calendar window. The museum is located in the culturally significant customs and warehouse building, constructed in 1848, which also used to house the sailors' room. 

- It was quite magnificent when the flag ('flaku') was raised on the roof of the Sailors' House as a sign that the sailors' positions were open, he recalls. In those times, sailors took positions that lasted for many years. The men embarking on their first journey would swear an oath at the town hall. 

Elf Briskie remembers when the city library's premises were in the upper floor of this building. People coming to borrow or return books had to climb the high stairs to the second floor. There, they would encounter the librarian, who took special care of the books. In lean times, a borrowed book was also a Christmas gift.