Saint Lucia

Step into the enchanting world of Lucia, where tradition dances alongside the flickering glow of candles. As timeless as midsummer revelry and crayfish soirées, this captivating custom has woven its way into the very fabric of Swedish life for four centuries.

Picture vibrant "Luciatåg" processions led by Lucia herself, not just on national TV but also echoing through kindergartens, schools, care homes, churches, and offices across the nation. Feel the anticipation build as a gentle chorus wafts from the distance, heralding Lucia and her entourage, their soft light piercing the pre-dawn darkness.

Lucia Day, also known as Saint Lucy's day, reaches back to the 4th century, a Christian feast honoring the martyr Lucia of Syracuse. Legend has it that she illuminated the Roman catacombs with a candlelit wreath as she brought sustenance to hiding Christians. December 13, once the shortest day on the historic Julian calendar, held significance in Swedish folklore, where the long night was fraught with peril from dark spirits. Staying awake was crucial, and sharing a meal became a symbol, a thread connecting the past to today's luminous Lucia celebration. Though Lucia made her initial appearance in a rural Swedish home in 1764, it wasn't until the 1900s that this enchanting tradition truly embedded itself in the cultural tapestry.

Sweden - 12/13/2023