Santa Lucia, Queen of Light

Scandinavian tradition holds that in Vårmland, Sweden, a white-clad maiden wearing a crown of burning candles and a red sash brought food to starving villagers on the shores of Lake Vanern. On the morning of December 13, the strains of “Santa Lucia” are heard everywhere as the white-robed maiden comes out of the night with her burning crown of candles to dispel the darkness, bringing bright light to the Christmas season. While it was originally a Swedish tradition, it has since spread to many other Scandinavian countries.

Nordic Northwest's Lucia, Queen of Light Scholarship puts young women with and interest in Nordic heritage in touch with a beloved legend of Scandinavian Christmas.

An Oregon tradition since 1956, the Lucia, Queen of Light program puts young women with and interest in Nordic heritage in touch with this beloved legend of Scandinavia, while offering them the opportunity to serve their community and receive Scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $1,000. The official Oregon Lucia is crowned each year at Nordic Northwest’s ScanFair in December. Lucia and her court members appear at various Nordic events during the holiday season and throughout the year.

The Scandinavian community in Portland has taken great pride in preserving the Lucia tradition since 1956. In the 1970s, Governor Tom McCall proclaimed the Portland Lucia the official Lucia of Oregon. Formerly a program of the Scandinavian Club of Portland, the Lucia program is now sponsored by Nordic Northwest.