“The sweet buns are the special treat of the day. It’s also a time of year where many drink glögg, which is sweet mulled wine, and eat pepparkaka (ginger snaps) sometimes with blue cheese spread on them. (Trust me, it’s good.)”
IVA in Atlanta celebrating Luciadagen with Swedish Expats.
This is an interview with singer-songwriter IVA from New York and the new-ish BMS Marketing Director Cecily Ferguson (who is based in Sweden). The interview is part of the artist in residence program.
Swedish Connections
Sankta Lucia (Saint Lucy’s Day or Feast of Saint Lucy).
What does Lucia Day mean in Sweden? Lucia Day is the day of lights, celebrating when a vision of St. Lucia, an Italian saint, appeared on the shores on Sweden. Sweden is in it’s darkest days during this time (in Stockholm, sun up at 9am and down at 3pm) so celebrating light is poignant in December. The oldest daughter in each family dresses as Lucia and brings buns to the family before the sun comes up on Lucia Day, and girls and boys sing in choirs and process in churches, venues, and on the streets with songs specifically written for Lucia Day.
Are there special treats associated with the day? The sweet buns are the special treat of the day. It’s also a time of year where many drink glögg, which is sweet mulled wine, and eat pepparkaka (ginger snaps) sometimes with blue cheese spread on them. (Trust me, it’s good.)
Can you describe the Luciatåg (Lucia train)? Whomever is playing Lucia wears a crown of real candles on her head, while the other girls have wreathes on their heads and carry candles in their hands, and the boys dress as star boys wearing a dunce cap shaped white hat and carrying a star at the end of a pole. All of the participants wear a white robe.
Have you ever participated in a Luciatåg? Oh ja. I did my first Luciatåg at Old Swedes Church, Wilmington, Delaware, when I was a teenager. I learned the songs then and eventually became Lucia when I got to high school, wearing the crown of candles. When I moved to Sweden I was hired to be a Lucia for a couple of events and then again when I returned to the U.S. for the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta. They know how to throw a great Lucia party! Attached is a photo of me with the Swedish expats in Atlanta :) We put together a lovely choir for the event. Lucia is always a beautiful day because the songs and the lights, especially when in a candlelit church or other space, really create a magical feeling.
Do you know of any places in NYC where people can celebrate Lucidagen? In New York the Swedish Church celebrates Lucia Day on Saturday the 10th of December from 3-7pm! I’m glad you asked this cause now I’m gonna go!!!