8.12.14

Sankta Lucia - Saint Lucy


Last week in Paris was rather Swedish with the visit of the Royal couple (see preceding post), although news media would certainly pay higher attention to a British, U.S…. state visit.  To end the week, there was another event, which actually takes place every year - the celebration of “Sankta Lucia”, Saint Lucy. Logically it should be celebrated December 13, but there was an early start this year, December 5. Normally there would be a reception at the Swedish Embassy, but, as it's under restoration, this year there was a more open invitation to the Sainte Clotilde Basilica.

The singing is performed by young girls (and a few boys) from the Swedish School and the Swedish Church. They will perform several more times, including in the Swedish Church on the correct date, December 13.

Before talking about the concert, just a few pictures of the Sainte Clotilde Basilica, a neo-gothic church from the 19th century, in the 7th arrondissement, close to the Parliament, some ministries and embassies.

The church was more than full, there was a short welcome speech by the newly appointed Ambassador, Veronika Wand-Danielsson… and then arrived Saint Lucy.



After the singing we were all invited to a glass of “glögg” (hot mulled wine) and some “pepparkakor” (ginger snaps). We were quite a crowd. 



I wrote about the Saint Lucy singing already five years ago (here) – with a link to YouTube if you would like to hear the Saint Lucy song - and there I also said a few words about the history behind this celebration and why it takes place December 13 rather than December 21, considering that the meaning is to bring light to the shortest day. (The reason is the switch from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar during the 16th century.)

8 comments:

Anonymous said...


¡Dios mio, Peter! La embajadora de Suecia parece una Miss Universo. ¡Que belleza!

El relato y las fotos...igual de bellos...
¡Mil Gracias!
Maria

Siddhartha Joshi said...

This looks pretty awesome...the youtube video was great as well!

Alain said...

Quelques garçons avec des bonnets pointus perdus au milieu de toutes ces vierges. Le port de bougies sur la tête doit vous inciter à se tenir bien droit.

Cergie said...

Je ne renie pas mon commentaire précédent, mais s'il me souvient bien tu avais déjà fait un autre message sur ton premier blog.
Beaucoup de fêtes tiennent place à ce moment de l'année, religieuses ou non, comme la St Nicolas, Noël bien entendu ou Hanouka la fête juive des lumières
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanoucca

Thérèse said...

Oui je me souviens du premier billet qui m'a appris cette celebration annuelle. Oui bien se tenir droit avec une bougie sur la tete comme il faut bien se tenir a table avec un livre sous chaque bras quand on mange.

Jilly said...

What a beautiful celebration. Must be moving for you, dear Peter, to have your two worlds together in one place. Love the photos.

claude said...

Une belle cérémonie pour Lucie.

martinealison said...

Bonjour cher Peter,

Une cérémonie certainement sublime !...

Enfant, je souhaitais avec ma grand-mère la Sainte Lucie... Ma grand-mère était d'origine suédoise et ce jour-là nous fabriquions ensemble de belles couronnes en pâte à sel... Nous allumions des petites bougies que nous placions sur le bord des fenêtres et sur la cheminée tous les soirs jusqu'au jour de Noël...
Que de merveilleux souvenirs !

Une bien jolie publication cher Peter, merci !

Gros bisous ❄︎ ♡ ❄︎