Hands up, who's heard of Lucia? Nope, me neither! 

So, it turns out that on the 13th of December in Sweden they have Lucia, I believe it's named after Saint Lucia and involves a procession by candle light and is one of the oldest of traditions. There is lots of singing and traditional songs are apparently known by everyone, here's one I found...

The night treads heavily
around yards and dwellings
In places unreached by sun,
the shadows brood
Into our dark house she comes,
bearing lighted candles,
Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia.

There is a competition to become Lucia and locals vote on who they want to represent, there are regional as well as a national Lucia!

This evening was the announcement of the Älvsbyn Lucia and I went along to take some photographs of the girls who had entered. They looked great in their traditional white robes, carrying candles.

Now as a newcomer to Sweden, I find all this fascinating! I think it's great to understand local traditions and get involved whenever possible and it was a pleasure to take some photographs. Obviously this is a serious business, singing, walking without setting fire to anyone or worse, yourself! So we took some serious photographs.

This years Lucia, Julia looking beautiful!

All the girls act as handmaidens to Lucia and will follow in the procession. 

Here's a nice group shot

I had to do a lot of photoshopping on that picture to make everyone look angelic, this is what they looked like straight out of the camera!

I think I prefer the original!

Here's a couple more I really like.

On seeing the candles everywhere, I had a bright idea! (excuse the pun) After a little hunting around by one of the guys in the church, we had the perfect prop! The girls knew exactly what to do so we soon had my favourite photograph of the evening!

Thanks to Ellen and all the girls for letting me take their photographs, it was a pleasure to meet everyone. Good luck to this years Lucia and all the handmaidens, I hope you have a great procession tomorrow.