One popular Scandinavian holiday tradition is the St. Lucia Day celebration, generally observed around December 13th.
Example of a traditional St. Lucia bride, with a crown of candles.
The Swedish Cultural Center (1920 Dexter Ave N) is hosting two St. Lucia events. This Friday, December 10th is the Lucia Bal with a traditional Lucia tåg (parade.) A group of Swedish young women, who are serving as au pairs in the our area, will join Seattle’s Scandinavian youth to put on the pageant. The young women will come in with candles and the Lucia bride will have a crown of lit candles on her head. Kristine Leander, Cultural Director for the Swedish Cultural Center tells us the young women will sing in Swedish some traditional songs. The celebration starts at 6 p.m. with glögg and social hour, followed by the celebration at 7 p.m. The cost is $35 for members, $45 for guests. Please reserve your place: rsvp@swedishculturalcenter.org or call 206-283-1090.
On Sunday, December 12th is another St. Lucia celebration at the Swedish Cultural Center. This one put on by students from the University of Washington’s Scandinavian Studies department. The Swedish Women’s Chorus and Svea Men’s Chorus will be singing traditional Swedish songs and Skandia Spelmanslag will be performing traditional dance. Plus there will be dancing around the Christmas tree, cookies and coffee. The celebration starts at 3 p.m. for a $5 donation.
Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church (2400 NW 85th St) will be holding their 46th annual Luciatåg with an all-Swedish performance, with English translation, on Sunday, December 12th at 5 p.m. Afterward, all are invited to a reception with coffee, Swedish goodies, music and dancing around the Christmas tree.
Yikes! Candles in your hair!
I’ve been to the St. Lucia at the Swedish Cultural Center and it was lovely, even for this Scots-English interloper. You should go!
No girls were incinerated during the candles-in-the-hair part. ;-)
I think that they forgot to mention that there is a dinner at the Lucia Bal. Also, the cookies on Sunday will be delicious Swedish cookies, handmade by local Swedes!
I don’t generally attend any church, but I’ll put in a plug for Our Redeemers. A nice bunch of folks there!