St. Lucia in the Domkyrka

From now on I'm going to have to include St. Lucia in my list of all time favorite holidays. St. Lucia is huge in Sweden.  Every child's school has a procession with candles and singing.  S's school even did their celebration outside in the early morning darkness.  People dress in long white dresses, carry candles, sing beautiful songs and then everyone gathers after the music for some glögg and goodies.  It is a beautiful event, whether you are watching your own little ones perform and or the professionals.

Here we went to the St. Lucia performance at the Domkyrka (Lund Cathedral).  It was the family showing which meant that there were loads of kids in the audience and we didn't have to worry about keeping everyone quiet and still in their seats.  (Translation: parents could actually enjoy it!)

At the beginning all the singers gathered at the back of the cathedral. 

"St. Lucia" wears candles in her hair.  Real candles. 

And they process to the front of the church.

For the most part, there is little instrumental accompaniment.  

In the cathedral the clear voices sound beautiful. 

Once the singers were done with the procession all the children gravitated to the aisle so they could see better.  Most of the evening was spent in candlelight but for a short time the lights were on.

From what I've read, I think I've figured out that girls used to be the only ones who dressed up and joined the procession for St. Lucia.  But then boys began to dress up too and instead of wearing candles in their hair some wear the white cone hat which is traditionally decorated with stars and called a stjärngossar, meaning star hat. They also sometimes dress as gingerbread men (cute gingerbread costumes are available all over town during December) and some carry lanterns.

Here you can see our girls holding hands, watching the show. 

 And then there is the procession back out...