Photo Vesa Saivo / Satakunnan kansa
Lucia Maiden is a celebration in the whole Scandinavia and in Finland of Swedish speaking Finns. It is a celebration of light at the darkest time of the year. In many Swedish speaking families children dress up as Lucia maidens or star singers and wake their parents by bringing saffron bulls. In the coastal areas, the Lucia tradition continues throughout Christmas.
In Finland, the Lucia Maiden is chosen in partnership with non-governmental charity organization Folkhälsan and the newspaper Hufvudstadsbladet. They select the candidates from which the national Lucia Maiden will be elected by public vote. The vote involves a charity fundraiser. Lucia of Finland has been selected since 1949. Lucia is crowned at the Cathedral of Helsinki. After the crowning, Lucia Maiden appears on the steps of the Cathedral with the elves and the Lucia procession circles in the center of Helsinki. Later, she attends several events. In addition, many cities and schools throughout Finland choose their own Lucia maidens and organize Lucia parades.
Lucia Maiden 2019 is Sara Ray, from Ostrobottnia. President Tarja Halonen
shall crown her today. Photo Folkhälsan / Henrik Schütt
Santa Lucia is a song composed by Teodoro Cottra and lyrics are based on a Neapolitan folk song. Cottrau published it as a boat song or barcarole in 1849 after translating the dialect of Naples into standard Italian. The Italian words of the song describe the beauty of the seascape in the Gulf of Naples. In the words of the song, the boatman urges listeners to join the boat to enjoy the evening atmosphere as the stars shine. On Youtube you can find among others Andrea Bocelli singing this beautiful song.
I don’t know what is the matter with the video, so sorry.
I can listen it with all appliances.
Christmas goodies at art & home museum Villa Gyllenberg, Helsinki
The link is open
FROM FRIDAY 7 AM TILL THE NEXT TUESDAY 4 PM
Helsinki time
Helsinki time
Liebe Riita,
VastaaPoistaSanta Lucia ist ein Fest des Lichtes und ich habe mich gefreut, dass es dieses Fest auch in Finnland gibt. Dachte es gibt es "nur" in Schweden.
Dazu habe ich genau vor einem Jahr bei Nocole Weihnachtsreise mitgemacht und heute - wenn du gucken magst - den Link bei mir gesetzt.
Ich habe Lussekatter gebacken und auch die Geschichte zur Lucia dem Segelboot geschrieben.
Lach, das ist wirklich soo schön und schön, dass du darauf eingehst.
Dein Link funktioniert irgendwie nicht aber ich komme nochmals vorbei.
Einen schönen Tag wünscht dir Eva
Dear Riitta,
VastaaPoistathank you for telling about this wonderful Day filled with light!
Wishing you a lovely 3. Advent-Weekend!
Love and hugs, Claudia xo
I only know the custom from TV, and I've always found it so beautiful. Above all I like the tradition with wreaths, candles and then the white robe with the red sash. Everything looks so solemn and it is nice when this tradition is continued.
VastaaPoistaThank you for this post, the beautiful video and also the pictures from the museum.
Have a beautiful day and start into the weekend.
Greetings
N☼va
Felicidades para las Lucias. Besitos.
VastaaPoistaDear Riitta,
VastaaPoistathe Lucia Festival is a beautiful tradition and helps to illuminate the dark season. I always bake very special Lucia Christmas cookies, very tasty.
Unfortunately the link doesn't work and I can't link.
Regards
moni
Ein wunderbares Fest, sehr schön und romantisch mit all den Kerzen !
VastaaPoistaAus dem Fernsehen kenne ich den Brauch.
Aber wenn man ihn selber erleben kann, dann ist das sicher noch mal so schön und beeindruckend !
Danke fürs zeigen.
♥lichst grüßt Jutta
So ein Lichtvolles Fest in der dunklen Jahreszeit tut der Seele gut.
VastaaPoistaL G Pia
an enchanting posting about the Luzia Festival, I love it!
VastaaPoistawonderful Videos!
thank you
Greetings Elke
Beautiful festival. Merry Christmas to you and love ones.
VastaaPoistaOih, kaunis Luciakulkue!
VastaaPoistaIhanaa perjantaita!
❤️
VastaaPoistaEs ist wunderschön, auch der Chor!Ich wünsche Dir auch eine schöne Weihnachten und ein gutes, gesundes Jahr 2020, herzlichst Klärchen
VastaaPoistaI had not heard of the Lucia Maiden before. I love the idea of celebrating the light during the time of year it is so dark. Thank you for sharing this interesting and fun tradition.
VastaaPoistaMichelle
http://mybijoulifeonline.com/
...what lovely young ladies.
VastaaPoistaBeautiful, what a wonderful tradition.
VastaaPoistaThank you for sharing. Have a wonderful Christmas time.
All my best from Austria
Elisabeth
Happy Lucia Day, Riitta!
VastaaPoistaI followed the ceremony of the Lucia crowning on tv yesterday...what a pretty girl and nice singing!
VastaaPoista