Santa Lucia…in the Netherlands

I’m amazed at how many events are happening this period. Sinterklaas and Christmas parties. An amazing time of culture and learning for me.

Today it is the perfectly timed Scandinavia Santa Lucia celebration, and the American School of the Hague, with its large Scandinavian community is putting on a show . I also say perfect because this afternoon, I head north (nordic north for the first time ever) for a relaxing, albeit cold weekend in Copenhagen with my friend, I’ll try to tweet if I can!

Saint Lucy (Santa Lucia, 283 – 304) was a wealthy young Christian martyr who is venerated as a saint by both Catholic, Lutheran and Orthodox Christians. Her feast day in the West is 13 December, by the unreformed Julian calendar the longest night of the year; with a name derived from lux, lucis “light”.

She is the patron saint of those who are blind. Saint Lucy is one of the very few saints celebrated by members of the Lutheran Church among the Scandinavian peoples.

It is celebrated in Sweden, Denmark, Latvia, Estonia, Norway, Finland, Malta, Italy, Bosnia, Iceland, Bavaria and Croatia. In traditional celebrations, Saint Lucy comes as a young woman with lights and sweets. It is one of the few saint days observed in Scandinavia. In some forms, a procession is headed by one girl wearing a crown of candles (or lights), while others in the procession hold only a single candle each.

Of course I was there to watch a bit of the procession and see LOADS of food from all around Scandinavia.

Now I’ll give you the summary upfront – it was ALL sweet stuff, save for …..

One savory tart! No one, least of all me, was complaining!

Cakes were everywhere, in every form. Wholesome;

Festive and gaily decorated.

Breads were in no short supply either; you can imagine all the cinnamon and cardamom scents, wafting and permeating the air.

And so were cookies.

And sweets.

Pretty decorations..

And loads of stalls, with goods for sale! Cute angels…

And bear pate! Yes, bear pate. And no, I didn’t buy it.

The Swedish women were dressed in traditional swedish dress.

And Christmas decorations….cute and cheerful. Nice, warm sweaters, mulled wine aka  Glogg.

This nice guy  told me more about Santa Lucia.

And this lady, posed for me in her pretty hat.

I did enjoy some non-alcoholic glogg. With almonds and raisins in it, which I had to eat with a spoon…

By the time the procession made it to the room, I was sated….and I hadn’t had anything to eat yet. Honest. Too busy taking photos.

Fantastic morning and now I need to dash…or I’ll miss my flight.

See you soon!  Back sunday!
[wpurp-searchable-recipe]Santa Lucia…in the Netherlands – – – [/wpurp-searchable-recipe]