Lucia

Every year on the 13th of December, Lucia is celebrated all over Sweden.  It is a popular celebration here, but it's not an official holiday.  It is usually marked by a procession headed by a girl who is chosen to be the Lucia.  She would be dressed in a white robe with a red sash and a crown of candles on her head.  Behind her, there would be other girls, also in white robes, holding a candle each.  Boys are also in the procession.  They would be dressed in other traditional symbols of Christmas such as the Christmas elf or gingerbread men.  As they walk, they would sing the traditional Santa Lucia song.  After that, they would sing other Christmas songs.  This usually takes place in schools and teachers are assigned to be in charge of the event (ring any bells, my friends from MOE?)

This morning, my SFI-classmates and I were lucky to be able to witness this ceremony.  Our classes are held in a high school, so we were able to watch the kids perform.  Our teacher brought us to the school hall where we joined the other kids.  I guess there were about 300 kids there.  Walking into the hall and seeing the basketball hoops, futsal goal posts and benches arranged for the kids and teachers to sit on brought lots of memories for me.  Just a few months ago, I would be teaching PE to my kids in a hall such as this. 

The performance started after the lights were turned off.  Then when the curtain was lifted, the kids were standing in a semi-circle holding candles in their hands.  The girl who was chosen to beLucia, with the candles in her hair, was standing in front of the semi-circle.  I couldn't really see her face though.  It was too dark.

They started by singing the traditional Lucia song.  Then the Lucia, started singing solo.  Her voice was really nice and soothing.  Then the others joined in and they sang other Christmas songs.  They even sang Wham's Last Christmas.  After a few more songs, the event ended and we walked back to our class.  Our teacher said that it wasn't very traditional and the songs they sang were quite new - not hard to guess since one of the songs was a rap.  But nonetheless, I felt lucky to be able to watch it.  If I weren't in this class, I don't think I would be able to be part of it - something that every Swedish kid would experience as they were growing up.

As someone new to the country, I am eager to learn more about it.  It's useful to me since I want to not only experience the Swedish culture, but most importantly to fit in.  Not to mention, it would make me understand Pete better.  Sometimes we do have misunderstandings which are purely the result of our different upbringing and cultures, but that's another story altogether.