Glad Lucia!

The day of Saint Lucia in Scandinavia is an essential part of Christmas in Scandinavia.

Each year on December 13, Saint Lucia is celebrated widely with candlelight and traditional candle-lit processions. Lucia herself was Christian and died for her faith. The December 13 holiday honors her. The eldest girl in the family portrays St Lucia, puts on a white robe in the morning and is allowed to wear a crown full of candles. She serves her parents Lucia buns and coffee or mulled wine.

In church, women sing the traditional Saint Lucia song which describes how Saint Lucia overcame the darkness and found light. Each of the Scandinavian countries has similar lyrics, in their native tongues.

In Scandinavian history, the night of Saint Lucia was known to be the longest night of the year (winter solstice) which was changed when the Gregorian calendar was reformed.

During a dark winter in Scandinavia, the idea of light overcoming darkness, and the promise of returning sunlight has been welcomed by the locals for hundreds of years. The celebrations and processions on Saint Lucia Day are illuminated by thousands of candles.

In 1979 Benny and Frida visited the Swedish radio the day before Christmas Eve and they performed their own version of "Stilla Natt" (Silent Night). Click HERE  to listen to it.

I like to wish all of you a Glad Lucia!

Comments

[Ettie Valstar]

Great song never heard it before thanks
gives back a lot of memories when i was in sweden for some holidays in dec 1986.
Greetings Ettie Valstar.

[Thomas]

Micke !! Great that you have the full version, never heard it complete before. Ok, to hear Frida sing in this opera style is not everybodys taste but for sure it is a very rare recording. Thanks for sharing it. Kram, Thomas

[Mikael]

Glad I could help some fans to finally get to hear this little live gem of a permance from 1979. :)