Celebrating a Decade Santa Lucia: Saint of Light (5th Most popular post)

Am slipping already.  But here it is, first published in 2011, and last in August of 2019. No concerts this year -=--but enjoy some images. 

First published on December 8, 2011, here is the fourth most popular post on this site.  Some of these posts remind me how long I have been writing this blog and how I have tried to learn about this country and its culture. I truly enjoy most of Swedish festivals and celebrations.  Santa Lucia is one of the calmer ones.  After 2011, i have tried to attend these ceremonies every year.  Not always successful since the ceremony starts at 7 a.m, which is too early and too cold for Decembers.  But whenever I have done that, a shower of light and happiness washes over me.

A hope alights. 

Now, Ms. Lucia, the lady of light has visited and we can start to see chinks in the darkness, which will only grow for the next six months.  Here is a short video

Lucia-The bearer of light (another Video)

The above pictures, as is obvious were borrowed from the net.  And the following is directly copied from the invitation from the University. 

Along side Midsummer, the Lucia celebrations represent one of the foremost cultural traditions in Sweden, with their clear reference to life in the peasant communities of old: darkness and light, cold and warmth.

Lucia is an ancient mythical figure with an abiding role as a bearer of light in the dark Swedish winters.

The many Lucia songs all have the same theme

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

All are Welcome!! December 13, 2011. 7:30 -8:00 A.M. 

Diwali 2020

Let this be a quick photo essay.

I am trying to keep up. Too much is going on.  I avoid facebook and just post pictures. Am active on twitter and will reduce that too. Trying to create another blog.  And since blogger has stopped letting us repost old ones, and we need to always create a new post, am contemplating either stopping or slowly this one down. I am so attached to it. I has my life of a decade here.  I like the little activity I get here. 

The blog is not publicised, but now I want to start doing things with my name on them...

The rangoli-- the floor art is all home made...used youtube videos for reference.  Used colors bought from IKEA and cake floor.  Red and yellow lamps are home made, and brown ones are bought from India and Fiji. 

Here are few other examples from this blog: Click below

One

Two

Three

Lord Ram, His Brother Lakshma and wife Sita returning after 14 years of exile. It was a new moon night, and so the lamps were lit...and we do it till this day!!

Just look at this beauty from India.  The temple was carved into from above...and it is this country that both Christians and muslims came to convert..imagine....

Goodness is What continues

 

People who are good remain good.  Continue to be good, no matter what.  One thing about Sweden I love is its inherent quality of belief in duty.  People are generally honest, and are innately content.  May be because of its harsh climate, may be because of its socialist mindset, but people believe in and support policies that somehow create equality.  State takes care of everything so not very many opportunities to volunteer.  But guess what? People have imbibed the values and volunteer and work without recognition. 

Found this man picking garbage on a regular, but not very used pathway that leads to a forest on one side and to a shopping area on the other. When I asked him if he belonged to any organisation, 'Nope, just retired and do this as I go for my morning walk.'

Made my day. Took a pic after I spoke with him and asked for permission. 

Then asked if I could share his name on my blog.

"Naaa, he said, the pic is fine.  Needed no recognition, was friendly enough to talk to you--and then...left a gift of a smile and a good deed.

See what I mean, about an inherent idea of a duty, and no need for recognition?!