On Christmas Eve (December 24th, 2019), Max Kaur, the Mayor of the Jõhvi Municipality, proclaimed Christmas Peace at the town square.
This tradition dates back to the 17th century when Estonia, Finland and Sweden were part of a single state. Christmas Peace was first declared during the reign of Queen Christina (1632-1654). Usually, the Declaration of Christmas Peace was announced by the Mayor or the City Secretary at the town square. It is traditionally declared several minutes before and after noon on the Eve of Christmas.
Max Kaur announced Christmas Peace using the original text from the time of Queen Christina: "Tomorrow, God willing, is the graceful celebration of our Lord and Saviour; and thus is declared a peaceful Christmas time to all, by advising devotion and to behave otherwise quietly and peacefully, because he who breaks this peace and violates the peace of Christmas by any illegal or improper behaviour shall under aggravating circumstances be guilty and punished according to what the law and statutes prescribe for each and every offence separately.", reads the announcement that has not been changed since 17th century.
In accordance with the tradition, Christmas Peace will last until January 13.
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