This year, the pre-Christmas season at the Department of Germanic Studies was characterised by a pleasant Nordic atmosphere.
Students of the German Language for Corporate Practice and Project Management study programme, who also complete a Swedish language module as part of their studies, celebrated the Feast of Saint Lucia (Luciadagen) in an unusual way. This important Swedish holiday, celebrated on 13 December, symbolises light, hope and the beginning of the Christmas season during the longest nights of the year.
In Sweden, Lucia is traditionally depicted as a girl wearing a white gown with a red sash and a wreath of candles on her head. She leads a singing procession of children and young people. Celebrations usually take place in schools, churches and public spaces, and consider it to be one of the most emotional winter traditions.
Students of the Department of Germanic Studies were also able to experience this atmosphere firsthand. They tasted traditional saffron buns (lussekatter), which were prepared by their Swedish language instructor, Mgr. Kristína Naďová, and learned more about the holiday’s cultural background. This combination of language learning and authentic cultural experience enabled them to engage with Swedish tradition in a truly ‘Swedish’ way – through cuisine, curiosity, and a festive spirit.
Text and photos: Department of Germanic Studies
Translation: Natália Rubeljová
