That's it warm community, love and happiness. It is the light from the small houses that warms your whole body in the winter darkness. It's children's voices, practicing Christmas carols. The laughter of the elderly who have already turned on the coffee machine, and the smell of grandma's soft little ones that have been baked, because of course belongs to Christmas.
It's these small moments, the warm flashes in the middle of the cold that make Christmas in the village Qeqertarsuatsiaat special and enchanting. The community, the presence and a security that is so strong you can almost touch it.
- It is as if Christmas in the villages is more peaceful, than in the bigger cities, says Unu Kirstine Berthelsen, who was born and raised in Qeqertarsuatsiaat, on Danish Fiskenæsset, located at the north end of the island of Qeqertarsuatsiaq between Nuuk and Paamiut.
She is 37 years old and together with her husband runs a shop in the village.
- Everyone cares to be happy at Christmas and everyone in the settlement is gathered where everything is closed. The community creates so much love and happiness and it gives a lot of peace, she says.
Unu Kirstine Berthelsen begins practicing Christmas carols already in October, when she – since she was a teenager – has been part of the choir in Qeqertarsuatsiaat. For her, Christmas loses its meaning if it doesn't happen sung hymns.
When the first Sunday of Advent approaches, the family cooks Christmas cookies and start the Christmas preparations in earnest.
- When I was child, we used to be 'kiffaq' (domestic help, ed.) for some of the families in the settlement. We helped with everything in the house, and as a thank you we always got lots Christmas presents from those we helped, says Unu Kirstine Berthelsen.
Christmas party for adults and coffee at midnight
When the last one Sarfaq Ittuk has docked, tends the village board in collaboration with the associations to hold Christmas gatherings for the adults.
- We usually eat together, have Christmas haircuts and preparing some different things for Christmas together. We also sing hymns, then there is also someone who reads aloud from some old Christmas stories there is in the church, says Unu Kirstine Berthelsen.
Three best Christmas mowers will be chosen, and prizes will also be awarded a special prize for the one who has made the most unusual clip.
When the clock strikes midnight on December 23, celebrate the settlement the newborns with a coffee mik.
- When someone has been born, celebrate the parents the child's first Christmas by holding a coffee party at midnight. Now! Everyone are happy and gathered on the night of Christmas Eve, she says.
Unu Kirstine Berthelsen's husband has had a grandchild, and that means that it is those who have to hold coffee this year. After coffee, with the stomach filled with Greenlandic food and sweet cakes, and a little bit of sleep, creeping in Christmas Eve creeps in before you even notice it.
- On Christmas Eve is the children's recitation of the Christmas gospel during children's worship. Such have it always has been since I was a child, says Unu Kirstine Berthelsen.
- I can too remember when I was a kid rushing to eat dinner just to could run out and sing hymns outside the houses in Qeqertarsuatsiaat, she remembers.
Small moments, big traditions
According to Unu Kirstine Berthelsen lives there today 180 people in Qeqertarsuatsiaat. And although community is not new to the village, it takes on a special meaning during the Christmas season. It's like everyone's a little happier, a little more solemn and a little more peaceful.
Although it is the little moments that make Christmas extra special, the traditions are always a constant part of the holiday. They are the ones who anchor the Christmas spirit and make it even more so present.
- For example the thing about being quiet on Christmas Eve, December 25. We weren't allowed to play or talking loudly on Christmas Eve when I was a child. I also use that tradition a little on my children today, she says.
Some of the traditions are – in addition to her father's fried lomvies, which the family eats on Christmas Eve – that one, when the calendar hits midnight on December 26, sing hymns in the home of the newlyweds. The day is called aappariit ulluat, in Danish: couples' day.
- We sing also hymns by some who have celebrated round wedding anniversaries, also by the catechist and the commercial manager (niuertoq), says Unu Kirstine Berthelsen.
Crawling elves and Christmas garlands
This year will be nor different. On the contrary - there will be lots of Christmas cheer, and Unu will not skimp on either the crawling elves on the walls or the colorful ones Christmas garlands in the home.
- I am like my father. He also over-decorates his home, it just makes it that much more nice, smiles Unu Kirstine Berthelsen.
Christmas is waiting just around the corner. As usual, the children will wake up early on Christmas Eve, ready to run through the snow, smell the food, sing along to the hymns and gather around them small moments and old traditions - those that bind generations together and make Christmas in Qeqertarsuatsiaat for something very special. Juullimi Pilluaritsi!
