December 10–17, 1998
food|sidedish
Old World Feast
How Swede it Is
In December in Sweden, way up near the top of the world, the daylight hours are fleet.
The Procession of Lucia, a Swedish holiday tradition held near the winter solstice, is a celebration of the days finally getting longer. The ritual is part folklore and beauty pageant—a young girl dons a wreath of candles and wakes up her household serving coffee and pastry.
Philadelphia's American Swedish Historical Museum has been re-enacting this peculiar event every year since 1939, the longest-running Lucia commemoration in America.
And no holiday celebration would be complete without holiday victuals. During the celebration, the museum will hold a Swedish Christmas cafe with pastries (cardamon buns); Swedish open-faced egg, anchovy, ham and meatball sandwiches; a deli with herring, cheeses and berries; and of course, Marabou chocolate and gingerbread cookies.
Lucia Festival, Sat., Dec. 12, noon—4:30 p.m., processions begin at 1:30 and 3 p.m. Free with museum admission, $5 for adults, $1 for children 7-14. The American Swedish Historical Museum, 1900 Pattison Ave., (215) 389-1776.
