A Politically Correct Lucia in Sweden

In Sweden and other Scandinavian countries, the 13th December is observed as St. Lucy's day (or Lucia for short). It's one of the few Saints' days still observed in northern Europe.

Wikipedia has a section on this tradition:

In Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland, Lucy (called Lucia) it is venerated on December 13 in a ceremony where a girl is elected to portray Lucia. Wearing a white gown with a red sash and a crown of candles on her head, she walks at the head of a procession of women, each holding a candle. The candles symbolize the fire that refused to take St. Lucia's life when she was sentenced to be burned. The women sing a Lucia song while entering the room, to the melody of the traditional Neapolitan song Santa Lucia; the Italian lyrics describe the view from Santa Lucia in Naples, the various Scandinavian lyrics are fashioned for the occasion, describing the light with which Lucia overcomes the darkness. Each Scandinavian country has lyrics in their native tongues. After finishing this song, the procession sings Christmas carols or more songs about Lucia. A similar version occurs in Scandinavian communities and churches in the United States.

You'll note that all the girls in the procession are in white; it's part of the tradition.

Not in one Swedish church procession, however:

Those who expected a traditional Lucia procession of white in the Country Church were horribly disappointed that the politically correct-pestilential fog has settled even at this Swedish tradition.

Instead, the kids wore different colours to represent different nationalities and this debacle is said to be a symbol of diversity. [above, photo credit Ulf Johansson.]

Skelleftea district's Lucia Jessica Erickson was dressed in white, but her bridesmaids wore dresses of blue, red, brown, green, yellow and grey.

Behind the initiative lies Anette Novak, editor of Norran, along with Lions "to embrace diversity" - a decision that was taken after the September elections.

Ah yes, altering traditions for absolutely no reason to "embrace diversity" - it all sounds awfully familiar.

Would it be impertinent to ask if there might be one day in Sweden where that country's culture, history and traditions could be "embraced" as opposed to mocked?

It seems even this change wasn't a change far enough for some:

Of course you would think that it would have been better if Lucia candidates were of different nationalities. When the idea came upon us the process of Lucia admissions had already started and when we selected, we estimated ability to sing and then chose the nominees.

- Mats Allansson, Lions [Swedish youth club organisation.]

Why, Mats, would I think that it would have been better if the candidates to take part in a Swedish national tradition in a Swedish church in Sweden were not Swedish?

What normal person could possibly think that, and why?

I suppose people like Mats, of course, look forward to the day when there are a minority of Swedish people in Sweden and everything can be so gloriously diverse - won't that be something to embrace, eh?

Anette Novak, whose scheme this was, chimes in:

The Suicide bomber in Stockholm made this quiet rally for diversity, for love and for all people, scarily topical. We must show that we are united.

United you are Anette - with people like the bomber in wishing to change Sweden beyond recognition, to destroy it in its current form, I would have thought.

What else could be behind such nonsensical zealotry - a taxpayer funded grant, perhaps?

It's sentiments such as the one above which made Sweden vulnerable in the first place - by pretending all people are the same, all cultures are the same, and we are all interchangeable.

How does denying Swedish girls the chance to be in the procession in favour of foreigners next year help with "unity" in any way?

The Swedish people need to wake up to the social engineering, defend their country and defend their traditions.

Hat tip: Politiskt Inkorrekt.