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St. Peter’s Basilica, Syracuse and a cancer hospital in Lombardy. Places that in recent years have been visited by Lucia trains with high school students from Sweden. That will not be the case this year.
– But of course we hope to be able to come back next year, says Monika Kowalska, director of Nordic Music High School.
Nordiska Musikgymnasiet is looting St. Peter’s Church 2018. There will be no Lucia train this coronation year.
All the roads that lead to Rome are so named. But not this year, at least not for the students of Nordiska Musikgymnasiet in Stockholm. Usually around this time of year the school sends about 25 choir students to Italy to spend a few days singing Swedish Christmas carols, in addition to Rome and Milan also in Syracuse in Sicily, where Saint Lucia was born in the three centuries.
– It’s usually a great experience for students, says Monika Kowalska.
Last year, the high school choir performed in the Piazza di Pietra in central Rome in front of hundreds of Romans who were feted with mulled wine, gingerbread and Christmas must by representatives of the Swedish embassy who each year participate in the organization of the Swedish Lucia trains in Italy together with Assosvezia, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Italy.
“Of course, it is sad that the Lucia celebration should be canceled this year. The Swedish Lucia celebration is a great normal year in Rome. It is sad for Sweden, for Rome and for the young people who should have been allowed to travel “writes Jan Björklund, Swedish ambassador to Rome, in an email to TT.
In addition to the choir being able to sing and perform in squares in various cities, the annual trip also includes a visit to a hospital for children with cancer in northern Italy.
– Probably what students remember the most. It is a very powerful experience for them to see that you can spread the joy of your song to these children who are very, very sick, says Monika Kowalska.
“The darkness of December will be illuminated by a Swedish Lucia train with nine students from the Nordic Music High School. At the same time, mulled wine, gingerbread and a classic Swedish carbonated Christmas drink will be served for the little ones ”.
The article ends with a description of how Lucia is celebrated in Sweden:
“In every corner of the country, in families and schools, in shelters, offices and shops, where it is dark, Saint Lucia takes the light with her and people gather to listen to the lovely Christmas carols and celebrate the light in anticipation of the Christmas”. .
– It was a bit like it had to be this year, says Monika Kowalska.
Instead of a trip to Italy with performances in historic cities like Syracuse and Rome, it was a Lucia train adapted to the pandemic for those living in Liljeholmen in Stockholm, where the school is located.
– But it was also highly appreciated. People came out onto the balconies, including many elderly people. We learn from all experiences, he says.
