Photos: Celebrating Santa Lucia at the Swedish Institute

Arts & Culture Nikki Tundel · Minneapolis ·

The American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis celebrates the holiday with a performance by a youth choir, and a procession led by the year's Lucia, attendant and Head Starboy. Each year, hundreds pack the institute to watch the holiday celebration.


1 Youth of all ages line up before the Lucia procession at the American Swedish Institute on Dec. 13, 2013. 
2 Elsa Ornberg, 7, gets help with her costume on Dec. 13, 2013. 
3 Young participants play different roles associated with a Swedish Christmas. Anders Ekstrom (center), 6, is dressed as a Star Boy. 
4 Performers sing songs in both English and Swedish. 
5 Linnea Peterson is the 2013 Lucia. The American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis awards the honor based on personal and academic achievements and involvement with the institute. 
6 The choir consisted of 75 kids. They performed to the light of electric candles. 
7 Guests on the second floor watch as young performers make their way to the first floor of the mansion at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. Two hundred people attended the Lucia event on Dec. 13, 2013. 
8 In the past, Lucia events used real, lit candles. Today electric candles are the standard. 
9 The Lucia tradition has been carried on at ASI "forever." But it's been presented in its current form for more than 30 years. 
10 Petra Ekstrom, 7, poses for a photo on a Swedish dala horse. 
11 Siri Ornberg, 5, enjoys a traditional St. Lucia bun under the stairwell of the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. 
12 Participants head home after the Lucia performance.