Saint Lucia

Our second Lucia celebration!  It's funny reading last year's blog entry (last year part 1 and part 2) when everything was new... I feel like such a jaded second year Stockholm expat.

For a quick review - Swedish Lucia for Dummies 

December 13 is the official Saint Lucia Day, however, schools around Stockholm celebrated on Friday, December 12th with students dressing as Lucia, starboys, gingerbread people or Santa. At Stockholm International School the Grade 5 students perform the Lucia celebration for the other students, parents and the retirement home next door.  Audra was so excited to be chosen as Lucia at SIS this year!

Grade 5 perform Lucia and several winter songs for parents

Lucia brings light in the darkness of winter

Audra as Lucia

lining up to parade through the school to sing to all the other grades PreK-Grade 12

Lyrics to Sankta Lucia... (the song is basically about night, darkness and candles)

Natten går tunga fjät runt gård och stuva
Kring jord som sol förgät, skuggorna ruva.
Då i vårt mörka hus, stiger med tända ljus,
Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia.

Natten var stor och stum. Nu hörs det svingar,
i alla tysta run, sus som av vingar.
Se på vår tröskel står vitklädd, med ljus i hår,
Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia.

Mörkret skall flykta snart ur jordens dalar.
Så hon ett underbart ord till oss talar.
Dagen skall åter ny, stiga ur rosig sky,
Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia.

If you want to listen to it... 

car procession decorated for Lucia

seen from the bus little kids dressed as Lucia, gingerbread and Santa on parade

Lucia performances were held all over Stockholm (churches, Skansen Museum, shopping malls) on Saturday and Sunday.

traditional holiday treats - saffron buns - Lussebullar

and gingerbread - pepparkakor

God Jul - Merry Christmas!