Lucia Gasque

Listen to this song to enhance your viewing experience:

Lucia Day is celebrated on December 13. Historically "Lucia Night was the longest night of the year. It was a dangerous night when supernatural beings were abroad and all animals could speak. By morning, when they were said to have bitten the manger three times out of hunger, the livestock needed extra feed. People, too, needed extra nourishment and were urged to eat seven or nine hearty breakfasts. This kind of feasting presaged the Christmas fast which began on Lucia Day."  

Schools and Choirs all over Sweden have competitions for who will be crowed Lucia. Following Lucia in the procession are stjärngossar (star-boys),  tomtar (Christmas troll) and tänor (Lucia handmaidens). The Lucia profession trails around singing songs and spreading light. 

The Lucia Gasque at Väsgöta Nation was an amazing cultural event!

V-G Gingerbread House

 Upon arrival at the nation, we were offered a cup of glögg, warm mulled wine with raisins and nuts. After about and hour of socializing we entered the dinging room. As usual seats were assigned.

Appetizer- Knäckebröd with Cheese and Mushrooms. I also had a bite or two of the Pickled Herring in Mustard Sauce.

 Across from me sat my friend (and Linnea's corridor-mate) Adrian, next to me sat Adrian's friend from university named Martin. Diagonally across with Linnea and Sofia, a very nice Swedish girl. On the other side of Martin sat two of Sofia's friends, Claire and Isabel. We all had such a fabulous time together. It was a perfect seating arrangement!

Linnea and Sofia.

Martin and I.

And then came dinner. A traditional Swedish Christmas Buffet or Julbord.

My Plate includes (starting on the left and going clockwise)- A delicious dark cardamom raisin bread, Smoked Salmon, Red Cabbage, Smoked Salmon broccoli quiche, Smoked Salmon Pâté, Pickled Herring and a Deviled Egg. 

 Unbelievably delicious!

When we were all sitting enjoying of plates of food, rumor spread that this was not even the main course.

Linnea and I.

We soon realized that it was not just a rumor, what we had just eaten was not the main course. 

Another buffet was laid out, this one containing hot food. There were potatoes, spinach, cabbage, quiches, rutabaga, salmon fillet, and lots of meat. There were meatball, sausages, liver pâté, horse meat, and turkey.

My Plate (Starting on the right)- Slices of Rutabaga, Broccoli Pie, Kantarell Quiche, Spinach and Salmon.

 Throughout the meal we were interrupted to sing traditional Christmas songs, watch theater performances, and listen to speeches but the highlight of the nights performances was the Lucia Procession. The V-G choir sang the traditional Lucia tunes dressed in traditional Lucia attire.

After dinner we took a short pause and while we were all hanging out, it started snowing! It was beautiful and the timing could not have been better. 

After the short pause it was time for dessert. Yet another buffet of traditional Christmas sweets.

Lussekater, Pepparkakor, Chocolates...

 Terrible picture.

My Plate (starting in the right)- Lussekat (saffron bun), rice pudding with cinnamon, oranges, Heart-shaped Pepparkaka, and assorted chocolates.

This night could not have been more perfect. Excellent company, excellent food, excellent traditions and a beautiful atmosphere. 

But the night did not end there. 

As we were exiting the dining room (around 11:45) the lovely Swedish girls Linnea and I were sitting with asked us if we were sticking around for the Släpp or after party. Linnea and I were undecided about whether we were going to stay or not. The Swedish girls said we could not leave, we had to stay at least for a little bit. They were heading back to their apartment to change shoes while the band set up and invited us to join. Linnea and I went with them to their adorable little apartment, hung out for a bit and then went back to V-G for the after party. 

A live band complete with an accordion, trombone, banjo and a few other brass instrument played excellent dancing music. Linnea and I, with our new Swedish friends, danced the night away.