Festival of Sankta Lucia

ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø's annual celebration of the Festival of Sankta Lucia will commemorate the holiday with traditional Scandinavian Christmas carols, lessons and poetry.

The Sankta Lucia Festival is a cherished tradition of the Advent season in all the Nordic countries. A candlelight procession of singers is led by a young woman robed in white with a crown of candles on her head, to commemorate the martyred St. Lucy (d. 304 AD), whose feast day is Dec. 13.

Each year, a student is chosen to portray Lucia during the event. This year Lucia will be Maja Johnson, a senior from Stillman Valley, Ill., majoring in Scandinavian studies and history.

The Ascension Ringers will play, directed by Ben Holmes, in addition to special music by several ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø students.

Music in the program is drawn from the Advent and Christmas traditions of the historic ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø Lutheran Church and the other Swedish-American denominations in the United States.

The singing is led by the Swedish language students and campus organist, Chris Nelson.

The celebration is hosted by ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø's Scandinavian Studies Program, together with the Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center, the American Scandinavian Association at ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø, and Campus Ministries.

Visitors should note that Ascension Chapel is on the second floor of Founders Hall, and there is no elevator. There is a single-chair lift that may be used. Please plan to arrive early.