As I was getting off the subway at Östermalmstorg, I saw a group of women in their 20s wearing white robes with red sashes. One had a crown of candles on her head. Another carried a big bakery box, no doubt filled with lussekatter or lucia buns made with saffron. Today is Lucia day and this means the group was going to sing the traditional Lucia song and serve up the sweet buns at a concert somewhere in town.
The woman with the crown would be Lucia and the rest of the group her court, according to this tradition that dates back to the 18th century. The court does not get to wear the candle crown, but instead each woman carries a single candle. The idea is that Saint Lucia brings light to the darkest time of the year.
It’s a beautiful song and a lovely idea and it is being reenacted all over Sweden todays, in kindergartens, grade schools and high schools. Check out this version of Lucia on you tube. Thanks to Jodi for sharing it.
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