Celebrate a Swedish Lucia at the Canadian Museum of CivilizationSome tickets still available
Gatineau, Quebec, December 2, 2005 — The Canadian Museum of Civilization, in partnership with the Embassy of Sweden and IKEA Canada, is celebrating Saint Lucia: a traditional Swedish celebration of the winter solstice. This popular public event will take place in the Grand Hall of the Canadian Museum of Civilization on Sunday, December 11, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets ($20 regular; $18 for students, children and seniors) are still available at the Canadian Museum of Civilization Museum Box Office: telephone (819) 776-7000 or 1-800-555-5621.
Lucia Day is a uniquely Swedish festival with historic origins. Saint Lucia is one of the most important winter celebrations in Sweden, when girls dress up in white gowns, red sashes and special crowns and parade with candles through homes, hospitals, schools and elsewhere. This candlelight procession commemorates a young Italian girl, Lucia — mythologized in Swedish tradition — by offering some food and the gift of light at the darkest time of the year. It also serves as a symbolic preparation for the Christmas fast that, since medieval times, has begun at sunrise on December 13.
PROCESSION AND CONCERT IN THE GRAND HALL — Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
At 8:00 p.m., ticket holders will enjoy a spectacular candlelight procession through the Museum’s Grand Hall by more than 60 singers from the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir and the University of Ottawa Calixa-Lavallée Ensemble, directed by Barbara Clark and Laurence Ewashko. A choral concert of Swedish Lucia songs and Christmas hymns will enchant visitors and put them in the holiday spirit.
Her Excellency Ingrid Iremark, the Swedish Ambassador, will preside officially over the evening. Mr. Magnus Schonning, First Secretary of Embassy of Sweden and Sylvie Morel, Director of Exhibits and Programmes of the Canadian Museum of Civilization will be the masters of ceremony.
Following the concert, audience members will enjoy a delicious, traditional Christmas smorgasbord graciously provided by IKEA Canada.
The evening will continue with the screening of a traditional Swedish Christmas film, entitled Tomten. The short black and white film from the 1930’s tells the story of a mythical creature based on Viktor Rydberg’s poem.
More delightful music will ensue with the classical Jan Jarvlepp trio (Cello, violon and flute ) who will perform a repertoire of Swedish and Christmas songs to a backdrop of images of Sweden.
Public Information Line: (819) 776-7000 or 1-800-555-5621
Media Information:
Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7167
Media Relations Officer
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7169
Fax: (819) 776-7187
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