Swedish school holds Festival of Santa Lucia celebrations

PALMA
CHILDREN at Majorca's Swedish school celebrated the annual pre-Christmas Festival of Santa Lucia yesterday.
Dressed in white robes and singing the traditional hymn to Santa Lucia, Sweden's patron saint, the youngest pupils in the infant choir paraded the corridors and classrooms led by 5-year-old Sofie Edhall.

Her crown of candles and radiant smile clearly distinguished her as the key player in the junior version of this centuries-old Scandinavian celebration.

Fathers, grandparents, sisters, brothers and friends gathered alongside teaching staff in the school hall where the choir sung a selection of seasonal songs. With Anna Karin Lisell on the piano and Axel Ulfson on guitar, the youngsters sang under the baton of music teacher Annika Matssoen.

Meanwhile, 15-year-old Fredrika Eriksson will play the senior school version of Santa Lucia in parades and celebrations to be held at City Hall tomorrow.

Born in Stockholm, Eriksson said yesterday that it was an enormous honour to be chosen for the role, explaining that for the Swedes on Majorca, the event was of great significance and an important family occasion.

Last year, Eriksson's sister Kim had taken the role.