Blogmas Day 13 - Lucia

The 13th of December is Lucia Day. When I went to school this meant that all the students of the older classes dressed in white, and walked around the school with lighted candles in hand singing the Lucia song. All the lights would be turned off for this and you would sit waiting for the Lucia parade to enter your classroom hearing them coming down the hall. It felt really exciting and like you were part of a grand tradition. The tallest girl of the class would be the Lucia “bride” wearing a crown of pine branches with 4 lighted candles and she would lead the parade around the school. 

I think this is a really nice tradition. It is based on the fact that in the old calendar this night was considered the longest night, and Lucia brings the light back again. She was originally a saint, and this day is her saint day. 

It turns out the Danish tradition is actually derived from the Swedish. In Sweden the tradition of bringing light (and food) around mostly took place in the homes, but in Denmark it is pretty much only done in institutions like schools and retirement homes for example. It was only brought to Denmark in the 1940s, so it is quite “new” as traditions go. It is actually not even a Christmas tradition. As mentioned above this night was considered to be the longest night, and it was a celebration of the fact that light would be returning. In Denmark it has become part of the Christmas traditions, simply because it takes place in December, but I think the white, almost angelic dresses and the lighted candles bring a real Christmassy feel to the day.