Last elves fired from Santa's Finland HQ
Published:
18 April 2004 y., Sunday
The last three worker elves at Father Christmas's official headquarters in Finland's Arctic have been fired as Santa Park grapples with its finances.
Lack of visitors has meant that the number of Santa's little helpers is now down to two, a far cry from plans to employ 120 staff on a monthly wage when the park opened.
About 800km north of Helsinki, this is where letters addressed just 'To Santa' arrive. The elves were supposed to help Santa and guide visitors around the park.
During these five years (Santa Park) has been able to employ a fraction of the 120 staff for a maximum of three months (a year), usually for about eight weeks," Rajala said, adding the sacked elves had been on temporary leave since last August.
Santa Park made its first operating profit last year, but the company's bottom line remained in the red as it still has annual costs of about Ђ400 000 (a$492,700) related to the initial construction of the park to pay for the next 15 years.
Šaltinis:
iol.co.za
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
Bulgaria's annual Festival of Humour took place today, poking fun at the global recession.
more »
The Belgian city of Ghent is going green by urging its residents to eat more greens. Ethical Vegetarian Alternative campaigners want them to go veggie every Thursday They say that if the whole city did that for a year it could save the equivalent carbon emissions of 20,000 cars.
more »
Baking is something David Muniz and David Lesniak know a thing or two about.
Originally from the States, the pair moved to Britain two years ago and have been supplying London with their American-style cakes ever since.
more »
A collection of 16th and 17th century torture devices is up for auction in New York. Judging by some of the items for sale, we've come a long way.
more »
Despite vigorous efforts, men and women do not always get the same start or benefit from the same opportunities.
more »
Across Europe the amount of time new mums can have off after the birth of their child varies from 14 weeks to 2 years.
more »
As the world No.1 carmaker announced billions in losses, an increasing number of auto industry workers near its Toyota City are hungry and sleeping in tents after losing their jobs and homes.
more »
With a media turnout worthy of a superpower summit in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York City - Donald Trump - the Miss USA pageant owner - decided the fate of Miss California USA Carrie Prejean.
more »
A conversation is taking place across Europe as people use choice boxes to record their questions and comments on what the European Union should be doing ahead of the European elections from 4-7 June.
more »
MTV teams up with EU on campaign to encourage young people to vote.
more »