Delight in a Swedish winter tradition
Celebrate St. Lucia at the Canadian Museum of Civilization
Hull, Quebec, November 25, 1999 — The Canadian Museum of Civilization, in partnership with the Embassy of Sweden and IKEA Canada, invites the public to a traditional Swedish celebration of Christmas and the winter solstice — St. Lucia — on Sunday, December 12, 1999.
St. Lucia is one of the most important winter celebrations in Sweden, when Swedish girls dress up in white gowns, red sashes and special crowns to parade with candles through their homes or villages. As they deliver fresh saffron buns and hot drinks in a candlelight procession, they commemorate the generosity of a young Italian girl, St. Lucia — mythologized in Swedish tradition — and offer the gift of light at the darkest time of the year.
All are welcome to enjoy this beautiful and distinctive Swedish tradition at the Museum, through special activities in the Canadian Children's Museum in the afternoon or by attending a reasonably priced evening concert in the spectacular Grand Hall.
ST. LUCIA AT THE CANADIAN CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
12:30 P.M. TO 2:30 P.M.
At 1:00 p.m., young visitors can join in a candlelight procession that will wind through the International Village of the Canadian Children's Museum. NB: Electric candles will be used! Families can also create a unique Swedish-style wooden tree ornament to take home, in 30-minute workshops starting at 12:30 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Participants will get to taste some Nordic sweets as they learn about the beloved Scandinavian character Tomten and about other aspects of winter and Christmas traditions in these northern countries similar to our own. Workshop registration is required; call (819) 776-7001. These afternoon activities are free with regular admission to the Canadian Children's Museum.
ST. LUCIA CONCERT IN THE GRAND HALL
6:00 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M.
At 6:00 p.m., ticket holders can enjoy a candlelight procession and a superb choral concert in the Museum's Grand Hall. The Ottawa Regional Youth Choir, directed by Barbara Clark, and the Calixa Lavallée Ensemble, under the direction of Laurence Ewashko, will enchant the ear and the eye with a candlelight procession and a concert of Swedish Lucia songs and Christmas hymns. Following the concert, Ikea Canada will offer a traditional Swedish smorgasbord.
Tickets for the concert are on sale now: adults $5, seniors $4, children and youth $3. Available through TicketMaster: (613) 755-1111.
Public Information Line: 776-7000 or 1-800-555-5621
Information (media):
Media Relations Officer: (819) 776-7169
Senior Media Relations Officer: (819) 776-7167
Fax: (819) 776-7187
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