2. Who was Saint Lucy?
Saint Lucy, or Santa Lucia was a young
girl who lived in about 300 CE.
She was killed by Roman soldiers about
fifteen hundred years ago for refusing to
give up her religion.
She brought food in a time of famine,
hundreds of years ago.
Now she is associated with both light in
the darkness and sight
4. This day is celebrated in Sweden
...but also in other countries, such as Italy
and France.
It’s celebrated on the shortest and darkest
day of the year (December 13 th)
In many villages in Sweden, Norway,
Finland, Iceland and Denmark, the Festival
of Santa Lucia is a national holiday.
5. What do they do to celebrate?
AT HOME...
The oldest girl in the family dresses up in
white robes tied with a red sash and wears
a wreath with candles.
Sisters wear wreaths and belts of tinsel,
and brothers may wear hats with stars on
them.
They bring coffee and buns to the family
6. OUTSIDE…
There are processions in Sweden.
The girls and boys bring cakes and coffee
to homes, hospitals, factories, and offices.
They sing songs in choirs.
Because Saint Lucia was an Italian, her
day is also celebrated in Italy. There
people honor her day with bonfires and
parades