Christmas celebrations at the Swedish embassy kick-started with Saint Lucia’s Day recently. The festival honours a young girl who, according to the legend, would secretly bring food for the persecuted
Christians
in
Sweden
on the darkest and coldest nights of winter. “According to the legend, St Lucia would bring food and aid to Christians hiding in the catacombs wearing a candle-lit wreath on her head to light her way, so that her hands were free to carry food. I believe, we should always strive to remove darkness from the lives of the unfortunate just like St Lucia did,” said ambassador Klas Molin in his address.
Saint Lucia’s storyThe highlight of the evening was the candle-lit procession by Swedish children from the American Embassy School. The lights went off and there was complete silence as the kids started the procession by singing the traditional St Lucia Day song Sankta Lucia. The procession was led by 10-year-old Sarah Medman, who played St Lucia wearing a white gown with a red sash around her waist, and a crown of
candles
on her head. Twenty other children playing different characters like maidens, star boys and a young
Santa Claus
followed her holding candles. Guests at the venue took out their cameras to record the performance as they cheered for the little ones.
‘Every Swede has taken part in this procession once in their life’Those who participated in the procession said that every Swede knows the standard St Lucia song by heart. “Every Swede can sing the St Lucia song, it doesn’t matter if it is in or out of tune!” laughed 20-year-old Ebba Littori, who played one of the maidens of St Lucia. The children had been preparing for the procession for over two weeks as they also had to sing seven other carols. Littori recalled, “When I was younger, I got a chance to play St Lucia. It will be safe to say that every Swede has taken part in a St Lucia procession once in their life.”
CHRISTMASSY WELCOME : Swedish Ambassador Klas Molin
CHRISTMASSY WELCOME : Swedish Ambassador Klas Molin
Feasting on Swedish cuisineSt Lucia’s Day was culminated with feasting on Swedish delicacies prepared by Swedish chef Sayan Isaksson. As the evening became colder, conversations flowed over Swedish Glögg – a mulled hot wine. “It was beautiful to see the young lot lead the St Lucia procession. I am very thankful to the Swedish Ambassador for inviting us and giving us a glimpse of the rich tradition and culture of Sweden,” said Nina Vaskunlahti, Ambassador of Finland.
French Ambassador Alexandre Ziegler
French Ambassador Alexandre Ziegler
Harinder Sidhu, Australian High Commissioner
Harinder Sidhu, Australian High Commissioner
It was a beautiful evening... I am very thankful to the Swedish Ambassador for inviting us and giving us a glimpse of the rich tradition and culture of Sweden
– Finnish Ambassador Nina Vaskunlahti
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