December 13th – St. Lucy’s Day by Jenny Nyström

The tradition of celebrating St. Lucy’s Day, ‘Luciadagen’, on December 13th is still very strong in Scandinavia.
Typically we bake special buns made with saffron called ‘Lussekatter’ and eat either at home with our families, or during the day at schools and work places (often both!). Young children from kinder gardens and elementary schools will wear white gowns and carry candles (these days LED-candles…. thankfully!) and walk around town in prosessions, to share (sell) Lussekatter. If the weather is cold and rainy/snowy, as it often is during December, they might walk fully dressed to senior homes, and put on their white gowns when they are inside. They always sing ‘Luciasangen’, St. Lucy’s song, and in the Norwegian version, St. Lucy brings back the light on the darkest day of the year. First in the prosession is always a girl wearing a lit candle crown:

These visits on St. Lucy’s Day by the local children, is a highlight for the seniors during December, and much appreciated. At this time the children are also practicing the various Christmas carols, so the seniors usually get a full concert 🙂 Fingers crossed they will come to visit us at the University this year!

I have included my favorite Jenny Nyström vintage Lucia images on a printable collage sheet, should you wish to use some of them for a Scandinavian celebration of St. Lucy’s Day 🙂

The file is free for your personal use and enjoyment. Go to the download folder below to grab your high quality copy 🙂

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