Is my deep and abiding love for ABBA, Pippi, and paskris Easter trees not enough? When will Sweden adopt me as a native? How much crispbread and pickled herring does one need to eat before they open for amnesty? This is important. I need to know!
Welp. You could say I’m a little bit obsessed with Sweden. Not as obsessed as I am with Iceland, but it’s up there. If there was one day above all days when I secretly wish I was Swedish, it would be today, December 13th, Saint Lucia Day.
I found this little video online from the Royal Cathedral in Stockholm, and even though it’s clearly taken from somebody’s phone, it still gives me goosebumps.
Not familiar with this holiday? Here is a three minute Saint Lucia for Dummies. I would walk you through it myself but I’m a bit preoccupied with my current headdress. Does anyone know how to get waxy candle drips off a keyboard?
I jest (not really).
PS: Into Swedish choir music? Here is a whole hour of the stuff.
PPS: Can any Swedes out there explain the little boys in pointy star hats? I’m digging them.
Come to Sweden Aunt Peaches! You will be very welcome here!
Thanks, Lena! I may take you up on that!
The headmaster’s wife was Swedish at my daughter’s high school. They would have the ceremony every year. I have even made St. Lucia dresses and head dresses for the American Girl Doll.
Aunt Peaches, I loved this post. Such a great mix of campiness (is that a word?) and holiday spirit. I hope your crown has some mardi gras beads and glitter on it.
Thanks Debbie! Yes indeed 🙂
I agree with Lena, you are very welcome to Sweden any time of the year! As for the stjärngossar, “star boys”, they started out as a “play” about the wise men that followed the star to find the newborn Jesus, but in Sweden they are nowadays incorporated in the Lucia-tåg instead. More information, as always, on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_boys%27_singing_procession
I knew there would be some secret reason for the stars! Gosh, if the ladies of Malmo are as nice as you guys, I’m moving in!
The love is mutual, Aunt Peaches! Love you!! There may be a Swedish Church in your city where you can experience a Lucia-tåg. I know there is one in NYC.
Bea xo
Bea! There is. I have gone from Lessons and Carols, but I understand ST. Lucia festivities are so popular there’s hardy enough room for the regulars. One day though…one day 🙂
Oh, I see. Over here I think they sell tickets. I am also from Malmö, (but I live in NYC now.) We should give you the keys to the city and make you a citizen of honour! One of the things I miss most from Sweden, is the semla… a delicious seasonal pastry served in early spring, before Easter. It’s seasoned with cardamom and filled with almond paste and whipped cream…. Anyway, I digress, you might like this, a zombie Lucia-tåg in Malmö:this year: http://www.sydsvenskan.se/malmo/zombietag–natten-gar-blodstankta-fjat/
We can get married if you like Peaches and you can have my citizenship 🙂
I would be down with that, Eemmaa!