On December 13, Saint Lucia Day is celebrated, a holiday that you will not meet in any other country. The day is dedicated to the Italian martyr Lucia, who died in the 4th century, but it has little in common with the life story of this saint. It was believed that this day is the shortest in the year. On St. Lucia Day, children get up before their parents and go to the kitchen to cook breakfasts for them from cookies and chocolate. Before they congratulate their parents on the holiday, they are surely dressed up in festive costumes: girls wear white dresses, and boys wear costumes of astrologers. On this day it is also customary to visit school teachers and congratulate them, pay tribute to all adults. In the churches, festive psalms are sung and children perform festive songs and hymns.
On the longest day of summer - the day of the summer solstice, another holiday is celebrated, connected with pagan rituals. Midsummer is widely celebrated by all locals and is particularly popular with young people. Summer in Sweden is quite short, and therefore Swedes are able to enjoy every warm day. On the longest summer day in the countryside, they kindle high bonfires, which help them drive away the evil spirits. In cities, bonfires are not made, but Swedes also gather together at one common table and sing folk songs. On this day, it is customary to guess. On the eve of this holiday, girls tear buds of seven different flowers and put them under their pillows, and they should dream of their betrothed. In the center of the holiday is the "May tree", decorated with branches, flowers and ribbons.
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