Traditional Swedish Santa Lucia celebration
December 1, 2006 |
Traditional Swedish Santa Lucia celebration
Gatineau, Quebec, December 1, 2006 – The Canadian Museum of Civilization, in partnership with the Embassy of Sweden and IKEA Ottawa, is celebrating Santa Lucia, a traditional Swedish celebration of the winter solstice. This popular public event will take place in the Grand Hall of the Canadian Museum of Civilization on Sunday, December 10 at 8 p.m. Tickets are still available at the Canadian Museum of Civilization Box Office.Santa Lucia is a uniquely Swedish festival and is one of the most important winter celebrations in Sweden. During the festival, girls dress up in white gowns, red sashes and special crowns, and parade with candles through homes, hospitals, schools and other places. This candlelight procession commemorates a young Italian girl, Lucia – mythologized in Swedish tradition – by offering food and the gift of light at the darkest time of the year. It also serves as a symbolic preparation for the Christmas fast that, since medieval times, has begun at sunrise on December 13.
Enjoy a spectacular candlelight procession through the Grand Hall by more than 60 singers from the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir and the University of Ottawa Calixa-Lavallée Ensemble, directed by Barbara Clark and Laurence Ewashko. A choral concert of Swedish Santa Lucia songs and Christmas hymns will enchant visitors and put them in the holiday spirit.
Following the concert, audience members will enjoy a delicious traditional Christmas smorgasbord graciously provided by IKEA Ottawa.
Sunday, December 10
8 p.m.
Grand Hall
Tickets: Adults $20; seniors, students and children (ages 3 to 12) $18
In partnership with IKEA Ottawa and the Embassy of Sweden.
More information is available by calling 819 776-7000 or 1 800 555-5621.
Media Information:
Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: 819 776-7167
Media Relations Officer
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: 819 776-7169
Fax: 819 776-7187
2006-12-01 00:00:00.000
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