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Saint Lucia celebration in Dallas
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Lucia procession in Sweden photo: Mark Elert
With cascading northern lights, arctic wilderness and a unique and untouched nature it is easy to understand why Sweden today is so good at environmental policy and alternative energy technology.
“We are close to nature, we have always been, it is a part of our soul, and we want to protect her”, says Vivianne Älvebrink, a politician that has lived her whole life at the small island of Gräsö in the Baltic Sea, “look at our Lucia celebration for example, it is all about celebrating the promise of the sun’s return, of light overcoming darkness”.
It would be. December 13, which is the day Swedes celebrate Santa Lucia, was according to the Julian calendar the longest night of the year. Today it is the night where the eldest daughter of the family dresses in a white gown, a red sash and wears a crown of candles. Singing the Neapolitan song Santa Lucia -- but with Swedish lyrics like “The night walks with heavy steps” or “Outside is dark and cold” – she then awakes her parents, serving coffee and saffron buns.
But Lucia is not only a family tradition. Public processions in Swedish cities started in Stockholm 1927, and today most cities appoint an official Lucia; usually a blond beautiful young woman.
The Saint Lucia tradition is, however, not only about “star boys” and white dressed girls singing Christmas carols. It is in reality a Christianization of pagan beliefs and customs. The pre-Christian holiday of Yule was a time of feasting, drinking, gift-giving and family gathering. It was also a season of uneasiness and fear of the dark forces. And “Lussinatta” (Lussi night), was the scariest night of all, a night when Lussi came down the chimney and took misbehaving children.
Celebrate Santa Lucia on December 13 at the King of Glory Lutheran Church, 6411 LBJ Freeway, Dallas. The church is located on the north side of I-635 betwwen Preston and Hillcrest. The Lucia procession starts at 2 PM, and the Yule bazaar at 12 PM. The event is presented by SWEA Dallas and the Swedish School in Plano.
To see more of Mark Elert's beautiful photos from Sweden go to: www.pbase.com/mark_elert
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