Today, December 13, is one of the most famous of all Swedish celebrations: St. Lucia Day, a festival of light in the long dark Scandinavian winter. Traditionally the oldest girl in a family rises at dawn on St. Lucia Day – not necessarily as early as it sounds, given the few hours of daylight! Dressed in a white gown with a red sash around her waist and a wreath of candles on her head – these days electric crowns are often used, especially for small children – she goes from room to room singing carols and bearing her tray of lussekatter (saffron buns), gingerbread cookies, coffee, and glögg (hot spiced mulled wine).
Although St. Lucia day has developed into a uniquely Swedish tradition, the original Lucia was actually a Sicilian martyr who was killed for her Christian faith in the early fourth century. There are various versions of the legend, but the most common says that Lucia fed and cared for the poor at a time when Christians were being persecuted. In order to be able to carry more supplies, she strapped candles to her head to keep her hands free.
Lucia became one of the Catholic Church’s most popular saints, and her legend made its way north during the Middle Ages, when Sweden was converted to Christianity. Still, many pagan traditions remained deeply rooted, among them the celebration of the winter solstice. According to the old Julian calendar, December 13, the date traditionally given for St. Lucia’s martyrdom, was also the longest night of the year. St. Lucia became a symbol of light, and her feast day merged naturally with pre-existing winter solstice traditions.
Even so, the celebration of Lucia as we know it did not begin until 1764, when the first recorded Lucia dressed in white made the rounds at a manor in Västergötland province. The now-famous Lucia celebrations at the Skansen open-air museum in Stockholm were first held in 1893. From there, the custom of Lucia processions began to spread to schools and local organizations. Not until the twentieth century did the tradition fully take root, greatly aided by the mass media.
Nowadays schools, businesses, associations, and towns throughout Sweden choose their own Lucias and stage traditional processions and concerts. Lucia is accompanied by her handmaidens (tärnor), who carry candles and wear white gowns and tinsel in their hair, as well as star boys (stjärngossar), who wear white robes and cone-shaped hats and carry golden stars on sticks. Many processions also include children dressed as tomtar (brownies or elves) and even gingerbread people.
Sweden also selects a national Lucia, who is crowned on national television.
Sweden is famous for its high class standard of living, special beaches, bars, night life. People are also friendly, welcome to tourists. With its life's standard Sweden is preferred by everyone around the world. Culture is also heart touching, open minded and combination of many countries.