For the first time, this year’s Sankta Lucia celebration at Augustana will feature two events, a traditional festival and a second, with men playing the traditional female roles.
Assistant professor of the German and Scandinavian department Benjamin Mier-Cruz, Ph.D., is in charge of the celebration this year and responsible for the newly-added twist on the Swedish tradition, casting a male student as Lucia.
Augustana’s celebration on Dec. 17 has remained true to the Scandinavian custom in the past, and this year is no different, according to Mier-Cruz.
Both celebrations will feature similar programs, the only difference being the reversed genders of the characters on Dec. 19.
“It has been kind of controversial,” Mier-Cruz said, “and when looking at the tradition, I want to respect it.”
The Sankta Lucia celebration is a Scandinavian tradition, which began in the 18th century and has been practiced at Augustana for decades, according to professor Stefan Bergstrom of the German and Scandinavian department.
During the celebration, Lucia, traditionally played by a female, leads a procession of characters, including maidens, star boys and the Tomte, who is similar to Santa Claus.
Songs are performed and Lucia, with a crown of candles on her head, symbolically brings light into the dark of night.
In the past, males have not been allowed to play Lucia in Scandinavian celebrations, according to Erek Bell, a Scandinavian studies major, who will play the role of Lucia on Dec. 19, starting at 5:30 p.m. in the College Center.
“I think that the gender switch is actually really cool and progressive,” Bell said, “This controversy is not limited to Augustana. Several males have even been blocked from performing in Lucia performances in Sweden. I have not experienced any hostility to the role I will be taking, not yet at least.”
Bell will wear the traditional Lucia costume while leading a procession of star boys played by females and maidens played by males.
He said the gender of Lucia should not be the focus of the celebration.
“The gender role is not the most important thing going on with Lucia,” Bell said, “The whole performance and celebration of Lucia is a time for feasting, drinking, gift-giving and gatherings, but also the season of awareness and fear of the forces of the dark. I think this is the most important thing to take away from the Lucia celebration.”
The traditional Sankta Lucia celebration on Dec. 17, starting at 7 p.m. in Wallenberg Hall, will include a female Lucia, played by Scandinavian studies and English major Eryn Maccabee, according to Bergstrom.
“It will be very traditional as usual,” Bergstrom said, “There will be  nine different songs during the celebration. The preparations are very thorough. We started working with the songs several weeks before the actual event, and are in the middle of that right now.”
Both Mier-Cruz and Bergstrom hope the celebrations help to build the Scandinavian studies major and program, and also honor the Swedish tradition.
“It seems very important because it connects the college with its Swedish roots,” said Bergstrom, “I anticipate the celebration to be around forever.”
The Sankta Lucia celebration is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.