Figure 1.--This 1944 phototograph shows what we thought was the Festival of Lights celebration in Gustav Vasa Church, one of the largest churches in Stockholm during 1944 near the end of World War II. The Festival of Lights is often known as St. Lucia Day (December 13). Along with Midsummer, the Lucia/Lights celebrations is one of the most important Swedish cultural traditions. There are obvious reference to life in the peasant communities of old: darkness and light, cold and warmth. St. Lucia (Lucy) is an ancient mythical figure associated with the bearer of light in the dark, cold Swedish winter. Written on the back is Kunnelsmässo Söndag (Kunnelsmässo Sunday). We are not sure what that meant. And it is dated Fenruary 7, 1944. Perhaps our Swedush readers will know what that means. The caption read, "LjusfestT för Barnen: Var få Kyndelsmässosöndagen anordnad i Gustav Vasa kyrka i Stockholm. Tolv par vitklädda flickor och pojkar vandrade med ljus i händerna från de båda sidoskeppen fram till altaret, där ljusen överlämnades till de tjänstgörande Prästmännen." Yjat translates as something like, "Lihht Festival for the Children: There were few Kyndelsässässässon sundays organized in Gustav Vasa Church in Stockholm. Twelve pairs of white-clad girls and boys walked with light in their hands from both sides to the altar, where the candles were handed over to the serving priests.

Swedish holidays are similar to those in other European countries. They include both Christian and secular national holidays. The religious holidays are shared with other Christian countries. Most holidays in Sweden as genrally is case in Europe are rooted in religious tradition, although in the modern de-Cristianized age these traditions are no longer fervently celebrated as they once were. Many of the nationl holidays are specific to Sweden. The most important holiday for children as in most of the rest of Europe is jul/yule (Christmas with pre-Christian Nordic features). An important part of the of the Swedish jul (yule)/Christmas tradition is the celebration of Lucia (Saint Lucia Day). White-clad girls and boys sing Christmas songs to spread light in the northern December darkness. St. Lucia is the only saint to be celebrated in Lutheran Sweden, the tradition is also celebrated in Norway and Finland (once part of the Swedish Kingdom). The other Christian holidays are trettondedag jul (Epiphany), påsk (Easter), Kristi himmelsfärds dag (Ascension Day), pingstdagen (Pentecost) and alla helgons dag (All Saints' Day). The national holidays are: nyårsdagen (New Year's Day), första maj (May Day/Labor Day), Sveriges nationaldag (National Day) and midsommar (Midsummer). Midsommar like Lucia is destinctly Swedish. The mythical Midsummer has Swedes dance dancing around a maypole left standing from May Day in June while the the sun never seems to set. Many other lesser holidays are celebrated in Sweden, many at the local level. Like other Europeans, the Swedes now make four-day week ebds when the hoidays fall on Thuesday and Thursday.

New Years (January 1)

TAs in other countries, nyårsdagen (New Year's Day) is celebvrated January 1.

Epiphany (January 6)

T Another Christian holidays is trettondedag jul (Epiphany). Many Christians around the world annually celebrate Epiphany on January 6. It is a public holiday in many countries and marks two events in Jesus Christ’s life, according to the Christian Bible. The first event was when the three wise men, or kings, visited infant Jesus. The second event was when St John the Baptist baptized Jesus.

Easter (March/April)

Another Christian holiday is påsk (Easter). Alao celebrated are Kristi himmelsfärds dag (Ascension Day) and pingstdagen (Pentecost).

May Day (May 1)

Första maj is May Day/Labor Day. It is both a spring festical and celebration of labor.

National Day (June 6)

Sveriges nationaldag is Sweden's National Day. National Day of Sweden is a national holiday observed in Sweden on 6 June every year. The tradition of celebrating this date began in 1916 at the Stockholm Olympic Stadium, in honor of the election of King Gustav Vasa in 1523. This is considered the foundation ofthe modern Swedish nation. Some Swedes question the validity of this as a national holiday. Unusually it was not observed as a holiday until decades later. The event does signify the end of the Danish-ruled Kalmar Union. So it essentially means Swedish independence. The event occurred so long ago that it does not have as strong of a presence in the social consciousness as does most other natiioanl days. The rekated Norwegian Constitution Day, Syttende Mai, celevrates the an actual independence day from the very beginning. Prior to 1983, the day was celebrated as the Swedish Flag Day Swedish: Svenska flaggans dag . At that time, the day was renamed the Swedish national day by the Riksdag.It only became an official Swedish public holiday in 2005--replacing Whit Monday. This change led to fewer holiday days because June 6 will periodically fall on the weekend, unlike Whit Monday, which was always celebrated on a Monday. Labor unions have complained about this.

Midsummer Day

Midsommar (Midsummer). Midsommar like Lucia is destinctly Swedish. The mythical Midsummer has Swedes dance dancing around a maypole (left standing from May Day) in June while the the sun never seems to set.

All Saints’ Day (October/November)

All Saints’ Day is alla helgons dag . It is edscribed as a day of dignity and reflection. The custom developed of lighting candles on family graves and is still commonly practised in Sweden. You can see that when passing a cemetery at night prodiding a beautiful scene--countless points of light from the candles and lanterns. By November there is often snow helping to create beautiful patterns. People today also lay flowers and wreaths on the graves. A jar of flowering heather has become popular as it stands up well in coldm weather. Celebratioin varies regioinally. In warmer southern Sweden, some outdoor outdoor work is still possible, but nearing completion.In the the colder north, All Saints’ Daycommonly marks the first day of winter and the traditional start of the alpine ski season. Most Swedes take the day off, and those who actually don’t visit cemeteries usually stay at home with the family and cook a hearty meal. Churches often organise concerts to celebrate.

Christmas

The most important holiday for children as in most of the rest of Europe is jul/yule (Christmas with pre-Christian Nordic features). An important part of the of the Swedish jul (yule)/Christmas tradition is the celebration of Lucia (Saint Lucia Day). White-clad girls and boys sing Christmas songs to spread light in the northern December darkness. St. Lucia is the only saint to be celebrated in Lutheran Sweden, the tradition is also celebrated in Norway and Finland (once part of the Swedish Kingdom).

Local Holidays

Many other lesser holidays are celebrated in Sweden, many at the local level. Like other Europeans, the Swedes now make four-day week ebds when the hoidays fall on Thuesday and Thursday.

Related Style Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
[Long pants suits] [Knicker suits] [Short pants suits] [Socks] [Eton suits] [Jacket and trousers] [Blazer]
[School sandals] [School smocks] [Sailor suits] [Pinafores] [Long stockings]

Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Page
[Return to the Main country page]
[Introduction] [Activities] [Biographies] [Chronology] [Clothing styles] [Countries]
[Bibliographies] [Contributions] [FAQs] [Glossaries] [Images] [Links] [Registration] [Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]

Created: 4:16 PM 8/5/2017
Last updated: 1:52 AM 9/9/2019