Santa Lucia
December 13th is St. Lucia’s Day. Alongside midsummer, it’s one of the most cherished ancient celebrations in Sweden.
The story harks back to peasant life, where the cold and dark of winter had to be endured for survival. In the freezing night, Lucia was a mythical figure who wandereed from village to village, a crown of candles in her hair, spreading light into the poor, dark Swedish winter homes.
To this day, being chosen to be ‘Lucia’ in your school or community is seen as a great honour, and you then lead the choir with your glowing crown and long white gown as you walk through the December night singing her hymn.
“Darkness shall take flight soon, from earth’s valleys.
So she speaks wonderful words to us:
a new day will rise again From the rosy sky…
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!”
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