Saint Lucia in Stockholm
Filed Under Sweden
For its winter atmosphere, Sweden is the ideal place to visit around the period of Christmas festivities. Although, Christmas celebrations do take place on the 24th December, there is a very peculiar tradition for Saint Lucia’s day on the 13th December, which occurs close to the winter solstice.
Saint Lucia is one of the few Saints to be celebrated in Lutheran Scandinavian countries that is in fact also related to a pagan mythical figure of Lucia and dates back from Medieval Times. She is personified as the queen of light, a young woman bringing light and sweets in the darkest period of the year.
In Stockholm, where the tradition is particularly felt, the is a procession on that day starting in the afternoon and thousand of young people dressed in angelic white gowns who walk through the town’s streets and sing traditional Lucia carols. The Saint is traditionally interpreted by a young girl with a crown of lights on their head. Many other churches organize other Lucia processions throughout the day and it is certainly worth visiting the main ones, like the Jakobs Kyrka situated in Gamla Stan (the Old Town), where you can also find Lucia concerts.
Other than the traditional rituals, the whole city of Stockholm is enlightened with candles and Christmas lights, whereas cafés and restaurants are open until late. If you are also lucky enough to found the city covered with snow, then you will have the full magic Christmas experience.
