Santa Lucia, Swedish Festival of Light

An Appreciation by Christine Polyblank

In the darkest time of the year, when the warmth and comfort of the sun’s light seems to have forsaken us, every light-filled festival we create becomes more precious. This morning – December 13th – we were moved and heartened by the celebration of Santa Lucia, the Swedish Festival of Light, offered to us by Classes 8 and 11, and led by our one and only, but genuinely Swedish, Marika. This was a beautiful and serene celebration that has become such a part of our year. Into the darkened, waiting hall came first the sounds of lovely voices from a distance, then a choir of white-clad figures holding just a few candles, with Santa Lucia wearing, with grace and dignity, her crown of candles. As the procession advanced, the singing grew gradually louder, and the light brighter as each shared their light with another. Young solo voices led each verse before the whole group broke into gentle harmony. Some four songs were beautifully sung, in Swedish, in this way before the youngest among them distributed small sacks of special goodies among the classes. Then, just as they came, so they left, their voices moving into the distance while we waited in silence until the very last note had faded away.