Lucia Day: A Celebration of Light in the Darkness

Celebrate the Festival of Lights in Sweden, Norway, and Finland

The Delights of Lucias Day

The 13th of December marks a special day across the Nordic regions of Sweden, Norway, and the Swedish-speaking areas of Finland. On this day, locals gather to celebrate Lucia Day, a festival of lights that illuminates the darkest time of the year. The festival honors Saint Lucia of Syracuse, a young Christian martyr who died for her faith in the fourth century.

In Saint Lucia, a small island nation in the Caribbean, December 13th is celebrated as National Day. The island bears the name of its patron saint, Saint Lucy. In the Scandinavian countries, Lucia Day holds particular significance as it brings much-needed light during the long, dark winter months. In some regions, the sun may only grace the sky for a few hours each day.

Lucia Day traditions involve the selection of a Lucia queen, who wears a white robe and a crown of candles on her head. She leads a procession of young women dressed in white, singing songs and spreading joy throughout the community. The festival is a reminder of the triumph of light over darkness, and a celebration of the resilience of the human spirit during challenging times.