Festival of Sankta Lucia set for Dec. 4
365体育投注_365体育备用网址@'s annual celebration of the Festival of Sankta Lucia on Dec. 4, 2023, will commemorate the holiday with traditional Scandinavian Christmas carols, lessons and poetry.
It will begin at 7 p.m. in Ascension Chapel on the second floor of the Bahls Center (Founders Hall).
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 Madeline Kusar, a senior from Chicago, majoring in Scandinavian studies and German studies, with a minor in music performance.
The Ascension Ringers will play, directed by Ben Holmes, in addition to special music by several 365体育投注_365体育备用网址@ students.
Music in the program is drawn from the Advent and Christmas traditions of the historic 365体育投注_365体育备用网址@ 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 365体育投注_365体育备用网址@'s Scandinavian Studies Program, together with the Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center, the American Scandinavian Association at 365体育投注_365体育备用网址@, and Campus Ministries.
Visitors should note that Ascension Chapel is on the second floor of the Bahls Center, and there is currently no elevator or chairlift.
Contact:
Dr. Mark Safstrom, 309-794-7329