Lucia tradition

Lucia is a Swedish tradition, mostly performed in schools and at different gatherings on December 13th. A train of singing people in white and with candles in their hands walk behind Lucia, who has candles on her head. They sing traditional Lucia songs and Christmas songs. Coffee and saffron buns (“lussekatter”) are often served after the procession. The buns are baked from wheat and the saffron in them gives a special yellow colour. The most common shape for a bun is “S”, with the ends rolled into a spiral and decorated with raisins. Lucia has its roots both in Swedish prehistorical and medieval history and in what is now Italy during the Roman empire.

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