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The Santa Lucia Legend
The Scandinavian Society of Nova Scotia tries to keep some of the Scandinavian
traditions alive. Every year, a few weeks before Christmas, the Society celebrates
the Santa Lucia legend by arranging a Lucia pageant. Girls and boys, young and old,
dress up in white gowns and carry burning candles while singing traditional Lucia
songs. Last year's Lucia pageant was performed in both a church and at the annual
Family Christmas Party.
The Scandinavian Society has also had Lucia pageants at the Park Lane Shopping Mall,
Historic Properties, Citadel Hill, at homes for the elderly and in schools.
History of Lucia
According to legend, Lucia was a medieval saint who carried food and drink to hungry
folk in the province of Värmland during a period of famine. She was seen across
Lake Vänern with her white gown and crown of lights. Today's costume has the same
gown and crown. The Lucia legend is said to have originated in Syracuse on the island
of Sicily. A young girl, about to be a bride, gave her entire dowry to the poor of her
village and admitted that she had become a Christian. She was accused of witchcraft
and burned at the stake on December 13, 304 A.D.
Much later in history, the early Church made a saint out of her - Santa (Saint) Lucia.
Italian artists sometimes picture her as a blind girl holding a lamp. She is a patron
saint for Italian fishermen and she is said to help guide them home through the rough
seas during a storm.
There are many legends about her and in each one Lucia stands as a symbol of light and
hope to all mankind. Santa Lucia's coming begins the feasting, merriment, singing and
the spirit of friendliness and goodwill that lasts all through the holidays.
How we celebrate Lucia in Sweden
In Sweden, the Lucia Day is celebrated all over the country in every home, school, and
workplace on the morning of the 13th of December. All of the other Scandinavian countries
(Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway) celebrate Lucia as well. In each home usually the
eldest daughter dresses in a white gown with a red sash and a crown of candles. She and her
sisters wake the family at dawn and serve them a breakfast of sun-colored saffron buns and
gingerbread cookies. At each school, there is a gathering in the auditorium or gym first
thing in the morning. The lights are dimmed and the Lucia and Lucia maids enter, singing
the old song "Santa Lucia".
At every workplace they make time for a special morning "coffee break" before the day even
starts and a few ladies dress up as Lucias. At most public institutions, a table is laid
ready with coffee, saffron buns and gingerbread cookies for the public to enjoy all that day. On
this day, as well as around Christmas, a hot mulled drink called glögg is served.
In 1927, a prominent newspaper arranged for a Lucia competition and that is when the tradition
started becoming more widespread and popular. This is how each "town" Lucia and the "Country's"
Lucia are chosen. The "crowning" of the "town" Lucia takes place on the First Sunday of Advent
after the raising of the Christmas tree in the center of the town square. This is also the first
"Christmas Decoration Sunday". This means that all of the stores decorate for Christmas in their
store front windows. Mostly all of the town's population gathers downtown for this event and they
walk up and down the streets checking out the new decorations in the storefront windows. The
"town" Lucia spreads a lot of joy by visiting all of the hospitals and all of the senior citizens'
homes from the first of Advent until Christmas, making sure nobody is left out. Lucia brings a
message of lighter times to come during the darkest time of the year. It is a very festive
atmosphere, full of good feelings, hope, and expectations.
Some recipes for Lucia cookies and bread
At Lucia Scandinavians usually bake cookies and bread to have with the "Lucia coffee".
Here are a couple of the recipes:
Luciapepparkakor
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Gingerbread Cookies
1 cup corn syrup
1 ½ cups light brown sugar
1 cup of butter or margarine
2 eggs
1 ½ tbsp cloves
1 ½ tbsp ginger
4 - 5 cups flour
1 tbsp baking soda
Warm in a big pot on low heat: syrup, sugar and butter until the butter melts, not longer.
Put it aside to cool. Then mix in the eggs, spices, baking soda and flour (keeping some
flour aside for rolling out the dough). Let the dough rest overnight at room temperature and
cover with plastic or wax paper. The next day: roll the dough (quite thin) and cut out the
cookies using a cookie cutter. Bake in an oven at 350-375° F for 6 minutes. This recipe
makes about 150 cookies.
Lussebullar or Lussekatter
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Saffron Bread
1 tbsp saffron
2 cups milk
3 tbsp yeast (quick rise)
1 cup butter or margarine
1 egg (beaten)
½ tsp salt
1 ½ cups sugar
½ cup chopped almonds
1 cup raisins (optional)
6-7 cups flour
Topping
1 beaten egg
coarse sugar
chopped almonds
raisins
Crush saffron and mix with a tbsp of sugar in a mortar. Warm the milk (not too hot) and melt
the butter in the milk. Add the rest of the ingredients except for the yeast and flour. Mix
the yeast in a separate bowl with a little of the flour. Add to mixture and mix well. Add the
rest of the flour a little at a time. Knead and let rise in a warm place. Once risen, punch
down and knead again. Roll the dough to whatever shape(s) you prefer. Place on a cookie sheet,
raise, brush with egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar, almonds, and raisins. Bake "small shapes"
in a very hot oven at 375-400°F for 5 to 8 minutes and bake "larger shapes" at 350-375°F
for 13 to 17 minutes.
This page was written by Cecilia Burman and
Christina Johansson at Dalhousie University.
Slight modifications were made by A. McKenzie.
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