The Swedish Santa Lucia Festival is defy on December 13 to bring light and Leslie Townes Hope during the winter solstice .
kvetch off the vacation time of year , St. Lucia ’s daytime is celebrated in Sweden and other country with processions , songs , and traditional foods . The holiday honors an Italian sufferer who died in 304 in Syracuse , Italy , renowned for her compassionateness and generosity .
In Sweden , the firstborn daughter leads a procession that dayspring , armed with breakfast and a wreath of standard candle on her head to light the darkness . In my kinsperson , the celebration set off early in the morning with traditionalSwedish treats , coffee , and a simple procession .
Credit: Lena K. / 500px / Getty Images
Who Was St. Lucy?
Santa Lucia ’s Day originated in Norse commonwealth . Legend has it that St. Lucy would secretly bring intellectual nourishment to persecuted Christians in Rome hiding in the catacomb , wear down candle on her principal to keep her mitt costless and sort out the manner . In fact , the name Lucia comes from the Latin word " lux , " meaning " clear . "
Today , there are St. Lucy doll ( remember the iconic Kirsten American Girl Doll ? ) , figurines , and ornaments . Like many wintertime tradition , Santa Lucia ’s sidereal day festival are now held worldwide , promoting a refinement of giving and a gumption of residential area .
How Have Traditions Changed Over the Years?
The holiday has evolved from its roots in other traditions . In Norway on the night of December 13 , a distaff demon was thought to wander the night to make certain proper preparations for Christmas had taken topographic point — or else .
century ago , ancient Scandinavians brand the duskiness of the winter solstice with bonfire to scare off malefic heart . Around the yr 1000 , the St. Lucia fable become part of the solemnization .
These days , St. Lucia ’s Day bitch off the holidays and can include Christmas traditions . Some celebrate with a St. Lucia Day julbord , a motley typically celebrated on Christmas Eve , The feast can feature young Nordic culinary art , with a focus on seasonal , local produce , as well as traditional dishful , such as Jansson ’s temptation , a creamy casserole with tater , onions , and brined anchovies .
When Is Santa Lucia’s Day?
St. Lucia ’s Day is celebrated primarily in Sweden , Norway , Denmark , and some Swedish - speaking areas of Finland on December 13 every year .
How My Family Celebrates Santa Lucia’s Day
Here are a few of the meaningful style my family unit observes Santa Lucia ’s Day at home .
The Procession
As a child , do in white gown , cinch at the waist by a flushed typewriter ribbon , plus electric battery - operated tip of greenery on our heads ( modernizing the real candle used in the yesteryear ) , my sister and I assume our own ceremonial occasion that dawn . We headed to our parent ' bedroom stand a simple folk - prowess tray draped in my Swedish grandmother ’s paw - stitched linen paper , offering breakfast sweet bowl , peppiness biscuit , and coffee berry .
While tradition has the firstborn daughter wearing the crown , my sister and I function as Centennial State - presenters . Often other girl , or " handmaidens , " hold a candle , while boy , the " virtuoso boy , " carry virtuoso on stick and have tall paper cone on their forefront . The littlest are the Christmas " imp " who wreak up the rear end , carrying diminished lantern .
Traditional Rolls
After the daybreak onward motion , lussekatter roll ( yeast buns flavored with saffron , cinnamon , and raisin ) , coffee , and pepparkakor cookies ( an essential pep Christmas cooky made with spices and molasses ) are served . In Sweden , the saffron buns are curved into s - shape , with two raisin for eyes , to mimic curled - up cats . While no one is certain about the quat connection , some believe the name Lucia was associated with Lucifer ( Satan ) , and in mediaeval Europe , cats were trust to represent the deuce . Additionally , saffron may have been chosen due to its pricey stature with the Swedish upper class .
Lussekatt is so closely linked to St. Lucia that some Swedes wo n’t eat it at another meter other than the week before Christmas . The Swedish government ’s official tourism arm , Visit Sweden , provides a recipe for the traditional treat .
Drinks and Other Treats
Also , a traditional St. Lucia sweet bread , season with orange zest and garnish with an orange juice glaze , is often served . It is pleach to resemble the crown of greenery and decorated with red ribbons and candles to serve as a centerpiece for the table .
Swedish glogg is also served on Santa Lucia ’s Day . Scandinavians adore this robust and zesty contemplate mellifluous wine-coloured drunkenness and hold with it throughout the season . you may make your own by blending flushed wine-coloured , whisky , and rummy with various spiciness .
For a fuller breakfast , I have made lean Swedish pancake using a especial plett pan . I slather the ruined hot cake in traditional lingonberries and dust them with pulverised boodle .
If you are not interested in cooking from scratch , IKEA often carry most of these delicacies , along with Swedish meatballs and jarred fish for a more zesty menu . I ’ve regain that store - buy Anna ’s Ginger Thin Swedish Cookies are a tasty and convenient substitute for pepparkakor , too !
Spirit of Giving
While my own home festival always ended with the morning banquet , Swedish householdsoften extend the jubilation later that day . Sharing random acts of thoughtfulness , youngster in the community don the same white gown and read/write head wreaths to parade around township , often visiting breast feeding homes , hospital , and societal serving centers . They let the cat out of the bag festive Song and ploughshare treats , bringing comfort and joy in the midst of the duskiness .
One easy way to honor this view without a lot of fanfare is to project a unproblematic , local family junket that good afternoon to glide by outsmall giftsto those often who could habituate a little extra cheer : busbar drivers , co - workers , police officers , nurses , public works stave members , and others . Having your shaver pick out the recipient helps them appreciate the on-key spirit of the season , just like St. Lucy , hundreds of years past .
“ St. Lucia ’s mean solar day : An Italian nonsuch , a German tike and a female daemon all play a role in the narration of 13 December . ” ScienceNorway.no .
“ St. Lucia ’s Clarence Day . ” Britannica .
Robin , Laura . “ New Nordic bag tot up sparkle to St. Lucia Day celebration . ”Ottawa Citizen .
“ Lucia — bearer of light , anthem and Swedish treats . ” Visit Sweden .
“ Saffronbuns ( ‘ Lussekatter’)—recipe . ” Visit Sweden .
