A message of light and hope

St. Lucia’s Day at Mount Lavinia Hotel

As Mount Lavinia Hotel’s theme for the season was Christmas around the world it was no wonder that the celebration of St. Lucia, the patron saint of light, was an important part of their festivities. As Mahika, Manager Corp Comms stated, “While St. Lucia’s Day is celebrated differently in different countries, its message of light and hope resound with all who participate in the day’s festivities.”
One of the most popular Christmas traditions in Sweden is the celebration of Saint Lucia’s Day, on December 13. Although not a legal holiday, Saint Lucia’s Day is a day of great celebration and merriment.
The Story of Saint Lucia stretches back to the time of the Vikings and the Roman Empire. According to legend, Lucia was a brave young woman from the island of Sicily, in the Mediterranean. When Lucia heard about the persecution of Christians by the Emperor, she gave one Christian family her entire dowry. This so angered her betrothed husband, that he told authorities that Lucia secretly practiced Christianity. Lucia, who died a martyrs death, was much admired for her courage, generosity and faith. And tradition has it that she took food to Christians hiding from persecution in underground tunnels, wearing candles on a wreath around her head to light the way.
Traditionally, on St. Lucia day The Lucia is dressed in white robes and red ribbons and wears a crown of candles on her head. Often times the eldest daughter plays Lucia, and greets her family with a breakfast of hot coffee and pastries, known as Lucia Buns or St Lucia buns or Swedish Saffron Buns or Swedish Lussekatt.
St. Lucia is rich with religious history and symbolism, and it is a holiday that has withstood commercialism and stayed firm in its origins in modern times. Mount Lavinia Hotel celebrated this event with the same objective of spreading light and hope throughout the season and the coming year.
The night of the 13th of December at the hotel made way for Santa Lucia who brought forth light and hope whilst Nuovo Vita sang Santa Lucia. The saffron bread and Swedish mulled wine was the essence of the evening along while inhouse guests and valued patrons of the hotel celebrated under a starlit night at the Governor’s Roof top.