A Night for Stars

A Night for Stars

Image by Volker von Bonin, 1962, Helsingfors stadsmuseum, CC BY 4.0

The first known Luciadagen celebrated in Sweden was in 1764 in Västergötland. In 1893, Luciadagen was celebrated for the first time at Skansen. The new Christmas custom spread to schools and associations around Sweden and also reached Finland’s Swedish countryside.There is evidence that Luciadagen was celebrated in Åbo as early as 1898. And in 1913 there was a Luciadagen celebration at Vörå Folkhögskola and in Högvalla the Lucia celebration has been observed since 1919.

Finland’s Lucia Is a Mass Media Event

In 1927 Stockholm’s Dagblad organized the first outdoor procession in Stockholm.Three short years later, in 1930, the first Lucia procession in Helsinki was organized by the Helsinki Swedish Singers’ Association and the Brage Association with the newspaper Allas Krönika. The custom of outdoor procession began in 1936 by the Brage Association in Vasa.

In 1949 the Folkhälsan organization revived the Lucia procession in the center of Helsingfors. In 1950 Huvudstadbladet became a partner. The event has steadily grown and added new elements. From the very beginning, the Lucia procession was a success.and has helped make Luciadagen a Finnish tradition.

In more normal times, 30,000 people will pack the Senate Square and procession route to catch a glimpse of the new Lucia. An enormous screen is erected outside of Helsingfors Cathedral so

that the crowd outside can watch the proceedings inside. The coronation and procession are also shown on live television. When the newly crowned Lucia leaves the cathedral she is greeted by a sea of photographers. Lucia’s presence will be required at over 90 events during her tenure. Lucia not only brings light, she is a star.

This year’s candidates were Denjah Leinson, Astrid Lindholm, Tilde Koroleff, Emelie Jungner, Cecilia Lasén, Sandi Bengts, Anna Hasselblatt, Anna-Matilda Rosendal, Tilde Polviander and Ronja Vinberg. Voting started in late October and continued until midnight on November 24th. Voting results are announced the very next day.

Meet Tilde Polviander

Finland’s Lucia 2021 Exactly one year ago, Tilde became Åland’s Lucia, and now she’s the whole of Finland’s Lucia. It’s big for her and Folkhälsan on Åland, but also for the whole of Åland’s society. My opinion after working close to Tilde last year is that “she is a genuinely loving person, who wants to see and pay attention to everyone, regardless of age; an incredibly fine trait in a Lucia”, describes Folkhälsan’s Alexandra Walk-Liljeroos.

The Lucia organization raises money to help people who, for various reasons, live in pressured conditions. Anyone can be exposed, none of us have any guarantees in this life. It can be about illness, unemployment, or divorce. The corona has hit many hard and the safety nets have become smaller, as hobbies have been on pause for long periods and grandparents have not been able to help, says Britt-Helen Tuomela-Holti, expert in family work at Folkhälsan.

Finland’s Public Health strategy focuses on children, young people and families. The Lucia events and organization concretely supports that work.

Finland’s Lucia is the front public figure of the Lucia organization. Ten young women are nominated to serve on Lucia’s court as bridesmaids; with one being coronated as Finland’s Lucia. Lucia’s serve a one-year term beginning with a program and coronation on December 13th.

Lucia communications director, Jessica Ålgars said, “All our candidates spread messages that breathe humanity, hope and warmth. The candidates help make the Lucia mission visible, thus enabling many families with children in vulnerable situations to receive needed support.

Lucia stands for light, joy and compassion. Lucia and the Lucia Choir make almost 100 visits to hospitals, nursing homes and events in December and January. Due to the pandemic, they also created new, safe ways for Lucia and her bridesmaids to spread hope, warmth and light in hospitals, nursing homes and companies.

When asked to describe her feelings upon coronation, Tilde Polviander said “I was completely in shock. I was very happy!” 2021 Lucia Tilde Polviander Image: Folkhälsan/Henrik Schütt

Finland’s Lucia is managed by Folkhälsan in collaboration with Hufvudstadsbladet and Svenska Yle. If you would like to watch this year’s coronation you can do so here: 2021 Lucia Coronation. Due to the continuing pandemic, there were no crowds and the procession was cancelled.