Italians who happen to be in Sweden on 13^th December, are very surprised at the enthusiasm with the Swedes celebrate the Sicilian St Lucia, who receives no such attention at all in her native country.

Lucia is celebrated in different levels.

  First the official one, when a local newspaper organizes a ” Lucia competition ”, and the readers select on of a number of girls from photograps. The chosen one becomes the star of the Lucia procession, which moves along many a High Street on 13^th December. Her attendants are the other competitors, and together they sing the traditional Lucia songs, while processing att hospitals and pensioners home, for example.

  Lucia wears a white, full-length chemise, with a red ribbon round her waist and a wreath of lingonberry sprigs on her head. The wreath has holders for real candles or- safer battery- powered ones.

  The second kind of Lucia celebration takes place in more private surroundings- in the schools, on club premises or in a parish hall.

Lucia coffee is often served . together with the saffron-flavoured buns, known as ”Lucia cats” (Lusse-katter)

  The third way of celebrating Lucia is in the family. The children get up early and make up a tray of  ”Lucia-cats”. One of the girls takes the part of Lucia, and so they go to waken their parents with the Lucia song.

  Lucia is the only festival that can be termed typically and uniquely Swedish!