Svenska Kulturföreningen Vancouver
Photo Credit: Chris & Annika Photography
It's drawing close to Christmas, and Sweden is the land where you are woken up in the dark early morning of December 13th by a young white-clad maiden standing beside your bed with lit candles in her hair singing the traditional Lucia song and offering you coffee and buns.
She is Lucia.
More about Lucia in Sweden today
The origin of the Lucia tradition is hidden in darkness, but Lussi (or as we call her Lucia) was supposed to be the queen of the ghosts who appeared around mid winter.
Not until the Roman Catholic church had established itself in Sweden, was the old Lussi tradition linked to the third century Italian saint Lucia.
The Lucia celebration, which is a festival of light, is the most popular Christmas tradition in Sweden and among Swedes in Vancouver.
In Sweden, every school, business, organization and most families celebrate Lucia on the morning of December 13th.
The Swedish School children are a huge part of what makes this event so special. Join us to hear them sing traditional Swedish Christmas songs.
All children receive a Christmas gift from Santa!