The Swedish Lucia Festival

Lucia Day is celebrated in Sweden on December 13th.

So, if you're in Sweden around this time, you can experience the Lucia celebrations in various places. The best places are churches and central squares, but also town halls and restaurants. There you can enjoy the wonderful atmosphere and contemplative music.

According to legend, Lucia appears before dawn, but for practical reasons, most public events take place at dusk. Most Swedes know the traditional song "Sankta Lucia" by heart—so don't be surprised if people around you join in the singing. Following the radiant Lucia are singing girls ("Tärnor"), star boys ("Stjärngossar"), and gingerbread men ("Pepparkaksgubbar"). Young children also like to dress up as Christmas elves ("Tomtenissar").
Lucia's signature feature is a crown of (usually electric) candles. Next come the girls: they wear white robes, a red ribbon around their waist, and a simple wreath in their hair. Each holds a candle in her hand. Following the singers are the Star Boys: also dressed in white, with pointed hats and star-decorated staffs. The gingerbread men at the end of the procession carry lanterns and gingerbread costumes covered in white icing.

Lucia not only brings light into the darkness, but also delicious pastries. Many Swedish artists have immortalized the main figure of the saint's festival with a fika tray, including the famous painter Carl Larsson (1853-1919). Her sweet offerings consist of crispy gingerbread and soft, S-shaped saffron buns called "Lussekatter." The latter specialty enjoys the same cult status as the cinnamon roll, with the difference that it is only baked for one month of the year. Many Swedes would consider it blasphemy to eat the saffron pastry before Lucia Day or after Christmas. To drink, there is mulled wine called Glögg, which comes in small cups with almonds and raisins. In the past, coffee was served instead, which is, of course, still an alternative.

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