Why do Swedes celebrate Santa Lucia?
Alongside Midsummer, the Lucia celebrations represent one of the foremost cultural traditions in Sweden, with their clear reference to life in the peasant communities of old: darkness and light, cold and warmth. Lucia is an ancient mythical figure with an abiding role as a bearer of light in the dark Swedish winters.
What is Santa Lucia in Sweden?
Around Christmas time in Sweden, one of the biggest celebrations is St. Lucia’s Day (or St. Lucy’s Day) on December 13th. The celebration comes from stories that were told by Monks who first brought Christianity to Sweden. St Lucia was a young Christian girl who was martyred, killed for her faith, in 304.
Is Santa Lucia a Christmas song?
One of the most beautiful songs that we associate with Christmas is “Santa Lucia.” It was a traditional Neapolitan song that was translated from dialect into Italian in the early stages (1850s) of the Risorgimento (the Unification of Italy). It is the first Neapolitan song to be given Italian lyrics.
What is Santa Lucia known for?
Lucy, Italian Santa Lucia, (died 304, Syracuse, Sicily; feast day December 13), virgin and martyr who was one of the earliest Christian saints to achieve popularity, having a widespread following before the 5th century. She is the patron saint of the city of Syracuse (Sicily) and of virgins.
How do Sweden celebrate St Lucia day?
Families observe St. Lucia’s Day in their homes by having one of their daughters (traditionally the eldest) dress in white and serve coffee and baked goods, such as saffron bread (lussekatter) and ginger biscuits, to the other members of the family. These traditional foods are also given to visitors during the day.
What does Santa look like in Sweden?
Jultomten is often depicted as a corpulent figure with red clothes and a long white beard, similar to, but not the same as, the US image of Santa Claus popularised by the Coca Cola commercials of the 1930s. …
Who celebrates Santa Lucia?
Lucia’s Day, festival of lights celebrated in Sweden, Norway, and the Swedish-speaking areas of Finland on December 13 in honour of St. Lucia (St. Lucy).
What language is Santa Lucia?
Neapolitan
Santa Lucia (song)
| “Santa Lucia” | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| Language | Neapolitan |
What country is St Lucia located in?
North America
Saint Lucia/Continent
How old was St Lucia when she died?
97
She was 97. A spokeswoman for her order, the Carmelite Sisters, announced her death to the Portuguese news media. She had lived in near isolation since 1948 in the convent, where she had devoted her life to prayer and meditation.
Why does Saint Lucia wear a crown of candles?
The observance commemorates Lucia of Syracuse, an early-4th-century virgin martyr under the Diocletianic Persecution, who according to legend brought food and aid to Christians hiding in the Roman catacombs, wearing a candle lit wreath on her head to light her way and leave her hands free to carry as much food as …
What are Swedish Christmas traditions?
On Christmas Eve, or Julafton, Swedes celebrating Christmas attend church services. They return home to a traditional family dinner including a buffet dinner (smörgåsbord) with ham, pork, or fish, and a variety of sweets. After the festive Christmas Eve dinner, someone dresses up as Tomte.
What is the story behind Santa Lucia?
St Lucia was a young Christian girl who was martyred, killed for her faith, in 304. The most common story told about St Lucia is that she would secretly bring food to the persecuted Christians in Rome, who lived in hiding in the catacombs under the city.
What is the story of St Lucia?
The story of St. Lucia. The story of Lucia, the symbol of light amid the darkness for Sweden, has many different versions. Although her feast day is celebrated on December 13th in Sweden, she was born far away in southern Italy, in the third century A.D. It is said that she became a Christian after she prayed for her mother to be healed.
What are the traditions of Santa Lucia?
Lucia is celebrated as a festival of lights with singing processions, saffron buns, gingerbread cookies and mulled wine. The Lucia tradition is quite new in Sweden. The first recorded celebration occurred in 1764 in Skovde , in western Sweden.
What is the tradition of St Lucia?
The musical culture of Saint Lucia includes an indigenous folk music tradition, as well as other Caribbean music genres such as Calypso , soca , zouk and reggae. Saint Lucia produces very high quantities of zouk music.