Glad Sankta Lucia! - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Charlatan · 12-13-2005, 06:28 AM

To all my Scandinavian Friends on the TFP!

Glad Sankta Lucia!! (I hope I got that right)

Have some Lussekatter for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wikipedia

Link

In Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland, Lucy (called Lucia) is venerated on December 13 in a ceremony where a woman portraying Lucia walks with candles attached to her head ahead of a procession of other women holding candles. The candles symbolize the fire that refused to take her life. The women sing a Lucia-song while entering the room, either Natten går tunga fjät (The Night walks with heavy steps) or Sankta Lucia, ljusklara hägring (Saint Lucy, Bright Illusion). Nowadays, there is also an easier text for children: Ute är mörkt och kallt (Outside it's dark and cold). The melody of all three songs is that of the traditional Neapolitan song Santa Lucia, still well-known through the recording by Enrico Caruso but, whereas the Italian lyrics describe the beautiful view from the harbour area Santa Lucia in Naples, the various Swedish lyrics are fashioned for the occasion, describing the light with which Lucia overcomes the darkness. After finishing this song, the procession usually continue by singing Christmas carols or more songs about Lucia.

There are nowadays also boys in the procession often dressed in the same kind of white robe but with a coneshaped hat decorated with golden stars, dressed up like "tomtenissar" carrying lanterns or dressed up as gingerbread men. They participate in the singing and also have a song or two of their own, usually Staffan Stalledräng. The tradition with boys accompanying Lucia is rather new and the result of compounding yet another pre-Christian tradition to the annual celebration of December 13.

The Swedish celebration has an old tradition. When Sweden was a Catholic country, the night of Lucia was celebrated just as many other saints' days were. However, the tradition would continue to live on even after the reformation in the 1530's. According to the julian calendar the night of Lucia was the longest night of the year. This is likely to be the reason why the tradition has lived on in the Nordic countries in particular, as the nights in November and December are very dark and long before the snow has fallen, and the idea of light overcoming darkness is thus appealing.

The modern tradition of the Lucia procession was started in 1927 by a newspaper in Stockholm that elected an official Lucia for Stockholm that year. The initiave was then followed around the country through the local press. Today most cities in Sweden appoint Lucies every year, schools elect a Lucia and her maids among the students, and a national Lucia is appointed through an election, first in newspapers and then on national television. The regional Lucias will usually visit local gallerias, old people's homes and churches, singing and giving free ginger snaps. Recently there was some discussion whether it was suiting if the national Lucia was not a blond Caucasian, but it was decided that ethnicity should not be a problem and in 2000 an adopted non-white girl was crowned the national Lucia.

A traditional kind of cake, Lussekatter (St. Lucia Buns), made with saffron, is normally eaten on this day.

Although St. Lucia's Day is not an official holiday in Sweden, it is a popular occasion in Sweden. The Lucia evening and night is a notoriously noisy time. High school students often celebrate by partying all through the night.

This is also Pip's Birthday... Pip is that like having your Birthday on Christmas?

Did any of you have to wear candles in your hair?

What Sankta Lucia would be complete without some Sankta Lucia music?

Quote:

Link to the Song
Natten går tunga fjät runt gård och stuva.
Kring jord som sol förlät, skuggorna ruva.
Då i vårt mörka hus, stiger med tända ljus,
Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia.

Natten var stor och stum. Nu hör det svingar,
i alla tysta rum, sus som av vingar.
Se på vår tröskel står vitkläd, med ljus i hår,
Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia.

"Mörkret skall flykta snart ur jordens dalar."
Så hon ett underbart ord till oss talar.
Dagen skall åter gry, stiga ur rosig sky,
Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia.

Can someone translate that?

Nancy · 12-13-2005, 06:41 AM

^^Of course!

Nightly, go heavy hearts
Round farm and steading
On earth, where sun departs,
shadows are spreading.
Then in our dark house,
(she) arrises with lights lit
Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia!

Night-darkling, huge and still.
Hark, something's stirring!
In all our silent rooms,
Wingbeats are whisp'ring!
Stands on our threshold there,
White clad, lights in her hair,
Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia!

"Darkness shall fly away
Through earthly portals."
She brings such wonderful
words to us all!
Daylight, again renewed
will rise, all rosy-hued!
Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia!

Charlatan · 12-13-2005, 06:45 AM

Thanks Nancy!

You Danes are always celebrating something aren't you? Will you be drinking Glogg and eating Lussekatter tonight?

Nancy · 12-13-2005, 06:55 AM

^^Haha yup!

Danes don't drink Glögg or eat Lussekatter - it seems that it's only the Swedes that has some kind of traditional Lucia dish. We don't party (drink) either.. we only do the traditional procession. I've been in the procession as well as a child (there are rarely adult women among) and we sing the same song but with different lyrics. I'll find and translate it once I get home

Nancy · 12-13-2005, 09:11 AM

Nu bæres lyset frem
stolt på din krone.
Rundt om i hus og hjem
sangen skal tone.
Nu på Lucia-dag
hilser vort vennelag
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia.

The light is carried forth
proudly on your crown.
Around in houses and homes
the song shall tone.
Now on Lucia day
Our friends greet
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia.

Her ved vor ønskefest
sangen skal klinge.
Gaver til hver en gæst
glad vil du bringe.
Skænk os af lykkens væld
lige til livets kvæld,
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia.

Here at our wish party
the song shall sound.
Presents for every guest
gladly you will bring.
Grant us the wealth of happiness
Right til the night of life,
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia.

Lucia (Lux) = Light

Note the line about her bringing us gifts. It's possible that the Lucia bride (the front person of the procession) came into existence from an inspiration by the German "Christkindlein", who was a woman who carried a wreath with lights on her head, dressed in white. She brought gifts for the children. She came into being in the Protestant German as a contrast to the Catholic saint Nikolaus (=German santa), who also brought gifts to the children.

Denmark is/am greatly influenced by Germany so perhaps that's why our lyrics are different from the Swedish ones

Charlatan · 12-13-2005, 09:17 AM

So what will you be doing tonight, Nancy?

Poppinjay · 12-13-2005, 09:19 AM

They also celebrate in <a href="http://www.lindsborg.org/lucia_fest.htm">Lindsborg, Kansas.</a>

The best part of Kansas, and the only part I truly enjoyed. I have one of their Dahla horses. They do the whole thing. Most of the town still speaks regional dialects.

Nancy · 12-13-2005, 09:53 AM

Poppinjay~> Awesome! I know that there are several descents from Scandinavia in America but I didn't think that they'd still keep the old traditions in check!

Charlatan~> Nothing. Like I said; we don't have any particular Lucia dishes to consume with the family and nor are we into the whole party thing like the Swedes. I believe though that the believing Christians will be attending a special service at the Church tonight, watching the Lucia processions. But other than that this is just a regular day for us, though I kinda wish that we had more Lucia traditions..

Charlatan · 12-13-2005, 10:05 AM

That's too bad Nancy. I had visions of you and your family getting together to light some candles and eating dinner together.

Nothing extravagant but something to chase away the darkness of this time of the year.

Pip · 12-13-2005, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlatan

This is also Pip's Birthday... Pip is that like having your Birthday on Christmas?

Not quite, although it is a bit weird. Lucia is HUGE in Sweden, but it's not a 'family' holiday like Christmas or Thanksgiving. A typical Lucia celebration starts the night before for the teenagers, when they have 'Lussevaka', staying up all night waiting in Lucia. The Youth Centers usually have some sort of nice clean drug-free activities, dancing, watching movies or playing innebandy or something like that, and all the cool kids go somewhere else and get drunk. Anyways, from early Lucia morning all the mixed choirs in Sweden earn 70% of their yearly income by going around in hospitals, old people homes, workplaces, shopping malls etc. dressed in the traditional way and singing the traditional songs. In every school and preschool there is a Lucia procession as well. The weeks before, there has usually been elections in the schools for which girl should be this year's Lucia, the girl who leads the procession and wears the candles in her hair. Typically it's some pretty girl with long blond hair who wins... I'm a brunette, so I never even got nominated.

In junior high, our class always nominated Kalle, who was the cutest boy in school and had long shiny blond hair, but strangely enough Kalle never won.
Like I said, every mixed choir and then some have their work cut out for them today. If you can carry a tune, you'll more than likely be pressed into a Lucia procession. I can fill out the soprano part (if I get to warm up in an hour or so) passably, so for six years I had to stand on a cold and windy subway station waaaay to early in the morning for several hours - on my own birthday, mind you - singing Sankta Lucia. Fortunately, I'm not in a situation where I must participate in such nonsense at the moment.
The best part, while I still was in school, was that we always got yummy rice porridge, a ginger snap and a clementine for lunch that day.

Elphaba · 12-13-2005, 02:58 PM

We Norwegians continue to celebrate the coming of the light saint. I suspect that the guys in the funny hats are not adverse to a drink or three.

Poulsbo, WA is called "Little Norway" here but, Ballard, WA is home to the majority of scandinavians in Washington.

kitsapsun.com
http://www.kitsapsun.com/bsun/local/...288477,00.html

Quote:

James Branaman | Kitsap Sun

Vikings await the arrival of St. Lucia during Julefest at Poulsbo's Waterfront Park.

'Light Saint' Warms Cold, Dark Poulsbo

It's those dark days of midwinter that inspire the coming of St. Lucia and lighting of the Yule Log.
By Angela Smith-Dice, asmith@kitsapsun.com
December 4, 2005

Poulsbo

A torch-lighted longboat emerged from the cold, distant darkness of Liberty Bay.

Ahead, a pier lined with torch-carrying vikings awaited as a crowd of about 200 onlookers lined the shore of Waterfront Park.

Horns sounded as the boat drifted near and the focus of attention, a girl in white with a crown of candles, turned her head.

After a day of holiday crafts and displays of Scandinavian folk dancing and music, Little Norway on Saturday celebrated one of the highlights of its annual Julefest. The tradition of Julefest, or Yule Fest, dates back hundreds of years but has been celebrated in Poulsbo for only the past couple of decades. The city was originally established by Norwegian immigrants in the 1880s.

"I think there's been a resurgence in culture and heritage," said Robert Moseng, Poulsbo Sons of Norway president.

"There's a need to know where we come from, what our roots are," he said. "I think it brings perhaps certainly a preponderance of good food, more of a sense of fellowship and community awareness of another culture that they don't get exposed to."

Poulsbo's Julefest starts early in the day with a bazaar in the Sons of Norway hall and goes until past 6 p.m. with events that include a visit from the candle-crowned St. Lucia, a visit from Father Christmas and the lighting of the Yule Log.

On Saturday, children in crisp white shirts, long skirts, aprons and Mary Janes flitted around the room through the afternoon after a Scandinavian dance performance. A teenager wove strands together in a corner and families surrounded tables with plates of mashed potatoes and meatballs or bowls of pea soup or Rommegrot (sour cream porridge).

Attendance was strong, said those at the hall — better than in the past few years, though crowds were larger a decade ago.

"Goddag ... that's 'good day'," said Stan Overby, who teaches Norwegian language classes. He manned a table with Christmas-themed books in the hall.

Outside, on Front Street carolers and shoppers wandered beneath lampposts decorated sheaves of oats — food for birds.

"In the olden days, it was believed if you gave an abundance, you'd receive in abundance," said Marianne Samuelsen with Sons of Norway.

Candelabras — electric ones — were lit in store windows, a tradition meant "to welcome people during the darkest times," Samuelsen said.

It's those dark days of mid-winter that inspires one of the highlights of Julefest in Poulsbo, the coming of St. Lucia and lighting of the Yule Log.

As the story goes, St. Lucia was a Sicilian woman who wore candles in her hair to light her way as she delivered food to the hungry, and was martyred on Dec. 13 by the Romans for her Christian faith.

One legend has it that St. Lucia, whose name also means "light," appeared dressed in white robes and delivered food during a famine in Sweden.

She appealed to people in Sweden and later Norway during the long, dark winter nights, and they celebrated her as the "light saint" who signaled the return of longer days.

And on Saturday, Brynn Breakey, dressed as St. Lucia, stepped off a longboat and onto the pier in Poulsbo and walked with the vikings to a pile of wood set in Waterfront Park.

They formed a circle and raised their torches.

"Place your torch on the pyre we have built so that all men may be warmed by the flame," the head viking commanded.

They placed their torches down and flames immediately rose.

"Velkommen, my friends," he said. "Velkommen to Poulsbo."

Charlatan · 12-13-2005, 07:07 PM

Ironically I picked my daughter up from daycare and they had had a little Saint Lucy party.

She had made a little construction paper crown with construction paper candles.

This was wholly unrelated to my posting this...

Nancy · 12-14-2005, 12:09 AM

^^I thought you didn't celebrate Santa Lucia in Canada?

By the way.. I've been wondering about why you posted about Santa Lucia in the discussion section (instead of the Europe section)? There's.. really nothing to discuss is there?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlatan

That's too bad Nancy. I had visions of you and your family getting together to light some candles and eating dinner together.

Nothing extravagant but something to chase away the darkness of this time of the year.

No I'm afraid not. Instead we do all that at Sankt Mortens Dag (Saint Martin's Day) on November the 11th

Charlatan · 12-14-2005, 06:17 AM

There are about 6000 Swedes in Toronto and many more all over Canada. While there are celebrations of Sankta Lucia within those ethnic groups it is largely unknown to the rest of us...

For some reason, one of the daycare workers where my daughter goes decided to teach the kids a little bit about Sankta Lucia. Apparently they do a little bit for all the various holidays around the world. I had no idea they were doing this until after I'd posted this, which is why I thought it was kind of odd.

As for why I posted it here... why not. I'm not European and I wanted everyone else to know about this neat little tradition. We all need a little more light at this time of year.

Nancy · 12-14-2005, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlatan

There are about 6000 Swedes in Toronto and many more all over Canada. While there are celebrations of Sankta Lucia within those ethnic groups it is largely unknown to the rest of us...

For some reason, one of the daycare workers where my daughter goes decided to teach the kids a little bit about Sankta Lucia. Apparently they do a little bit for all the various holidays around the world. I had no idea they were doing this until after I'd posted this, which is why I thought it was kind of odd.

I think it's an excellent idea! I think the more we know about each other, the more tolerant we seem to become of one another. And Kindergarden is as good a place to start as any!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlatan

As for why I posted it here... why not. I'm not European and I wanted everyone else to know about this neat little tradition. We all need a little more light at this time of year.

Ah, fair enough Charlatan

12-13-2005, 06:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
Nancy Femme Fatale Location: Elysium	^^Of course! Nightly, go heavy hearts Round farm and steading On earth, where sun departs, shadows are spreading. Then in our dark house, (she) arrises with lights lit Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia! Night-darkling, huge and still. Hark, something's stirring! In all our silent rooms, Wingbeats are whisp'ring! Stands on our threshold there, White clad, lights in her hair, Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia! "Darkness shall fly away Through earthly portals." She brings such wonderful words to us all! Daylight, again renewed will rise, all rosy-hued! Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia! __________________ I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

12-13-2005, 06:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	Thanks Nancy! You Danes are always celebrating something aren't you? Will you be drinking Glogg and eating Lussekatter tonight? __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

12-13-2005, 06:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
Nancy Femme Fatale Location: Elysium	^^Haha yup! Danes don't drink Glögg or eat Lussekatter - it seems that it's only the Swedes that has some kind of traditional Lucia dish. We don't party (drink) either.. we only do the traditional procession. I've been in the procession as well as a child (there are rarely adult women among) and we sing the same song but with different lyrics. I'll find and translate it once I get home __________________ I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

12-13-2005, 09:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
Nancy Femme Fatale Location: Elysium	Nu bæres lyset frem stolt på din krone. Rundt om i hus og hjem sangen skal tone. Nu på Lucia-dag hilser vort vennelag Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia. The light is carried forth proudly on your crown. Around in houses and homes the song shall tone. Now on Lucia day Our friends greet Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia. Her ved vor ønskefest sangen skal klinge. Gaver til hver en gæst glad vil du bringe. Skænk os af lykkens væld lige til livets kvæld, Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia. Here at our wish party the song shall sound. Presents for every guest gladly you will bring. Grant us the wealth of happiness Right til the night of life, Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia. Lucia (Lux) = Light Note the line about her bringing us gifts. It's possible that the Lucia bride (the front person of the procession) came into existence from an inspiration by the German "Christkindlein", who was a woman who carried a wreath with lights on her head, dressed in white. She brought gifts for the children. She came into being in the Protestant German as a contrast to the Catholic saint Nikolaus (=German santa), who also brought gifts to the children. Denmark is/am greatly influenced by Germany so perhaps that's why our lyrics are different from the Swedish ones __________________ I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

12-13-2005, 09:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	So what will you be doing tonight, Nancy? __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

12-13-2005, 09:19 AM	#7 (permalink)
Poppinjay You had me at hello Location: DC/Coastal VA	They also celebrate in <a href="http://www.lindsborg.org/lucia_fest.htm">Lindsborg, Kansas.</a> The best part of Kansas, and the only part I truly enjoyed. I have one of their Dahla horses. They do the whole thing. Most of the town still speaks regional dialects. __________________ I think the Apocalypse is happening all around us. We go on eating desserts and watching TV. I know I do. I wish we were more capable of sustained passion and sustained resistance. We should be screaming and what we do is gossip. -Lydia Millet

12-13-2005, 09:53 AM	#8 (permalink)
Nancy Femme Fatale Location: Elysium	Poppinjay~> Awesome! I know that there are several descents from Scandinavia in America but I didn't think that they'd still keep the old traditions in check! Charlatan~> Nothing. Like I said; we don't have any particular Lucia dishes to consume with the family and nor are we into the whole party thing like the Swedes. I believe though that the believing Christians will be attending a special service at the Church tonight, watching the Lucia processions. But other than that this is just a regular day for us, though I kinda wish that we had more Lucia traditions.. __________________ I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

12-13-2005, 10:05 AM	#9 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	That's too bad Nancy. I had visions of you and your family getting together to light some candles and eating dinner together. Nothing extravagant but something to chase away the darkness of this time of the year. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

12-13-2005, 07:07 PM	#12 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	Ironically I picked my daughter up from daycare and they had had a little Saint Lucy party. She had made a little construction paper crown with construction paper candles. This was wholly unrelated to my posting this... __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

12-14-2005, 06:17 AM	#14 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	There are about 6000 Swedes in Toronto and many more all over Canada. While there are celebrations of Sankta Lucia within those ethnic groups it is largely unknown to the rest of us... For some reason, one of the daycare workers where my daughter goes decided to teach the kids a little bit about Sankta Lucia. Apparently they do a little bit for all the various holidays around the world. I had no idea they were doing this until after I'd posted this, which is why I thought it was kind of odd. As for why I posted it here... why not. I'm not European and I wanted everyone else to know about this neat little tradition. We all need a little more light at this time of year. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke