11.12.2009 1

Events: Giant Christmas tree from Sweden is focus of a long standing celebration on Saturday

Santa Lucia festival in Nice

As it has done for the last eight years, the city of Nice joins forces with Sweden to celebrate the charming traditions surrounding the Santa Lucia festival. The focus is a giant magically lit Christmas tree donated by Sweden to the Côte d’Azur capital.

Santa Lucia girl with crown of candles in her hair
Santa Lucia procession in Nice on Saturday

Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi and his deputy Catherine Moreau will be joined by the Swedish Consul Åke Almroth for the festivities, which include the traditional Santa Lucia procession and a choral concert. The 15 choir members selected to perform will then join Catherine Moreau on the tramway and continue to entertain passengers with their singing all the way to Nice Nord.

It starts at 5pm on Saturday 12th December 2009 in Place Masséna.

The Santa Lucia tradition originated in Italy. No one really knows why the Swedes embraced her, although today the festivities have little to do with the church or religion. In Sweden she is celebrated everywhere – in schools, offices, stores and homes – with a young girl being selected to play the role of Lucia. She leads the procession wearing a long white robe with a red ribbon, a crown of candles in her hair and holding a sheaf of straw (symbol of the land’s fertility).

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Comments

Comment by Katrin Nagel | 11.12.2009

Oh wow that sounds wonderful...at least I know now, how to get the christmas spirit.
Thanks for the tip.

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