History
Long ago, the night between the 12th and the 13th of December was regarded as the longest night of the year, a night when extra protection was needed.
It was the custom in some parts of Sweden to prepare a meal and serve it by candlelight during that long and cold night. Swedes sometimes called it "att lussa".
Lussa referred to light, lux in Latin, luce or lucia in Italian.
But Lucia is surrounded by many legends – maybe she was St Lucia of Syracuse? She had refused to make a sacrifice to the emperor Diocletian and the punishment was death, martyrdom.
Her name and her story reached Sweden from Germany and England (where she is known as Lucy).
Long ago, the night between the 12th and the 13th of December was regarded as the longest night of the year, a night when extra protection was needed.
It was the custom in some parts of Sweden to prepare a meal and serve it by candlelight during that long and cold night. Swedes sometimes called it "att lussa".
Lussa referred to light, lux in Latin, luce or lucia in Italian.
But Lucia is surrounded by many legends – maybe she was St Lucia of Syracuse? She had refused to make a sacrifice to the emperor Diocletian and the punishment was death, martyrdom.
Her name and her story reached Sweden from Germany and England (where she is known as Lucy).
Now the name "Lucia" has a special place in every Swede's heart. Lucia is celebrated in practically every home and church, community and club, school and office. Lucia appears, dressed in a white gown, with a crown of candles, accompanied by a group of girls also dressed in white and sometimes by young boys wearing tall paper cones with stars on them, Santa outfits or gingerbread man. They all sing the Lucia song and Christmas carols.
