Sharing Swedish Light in Taipei: Lucia 2025 Event Recap

Last Sunday, something truly special happened in Lanya. More than 80 to 90 friends, families, and community members gathered at the beautiful Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Shrine to celebrate one of Sweden’s most beloved winter traditions: 𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐚.

As the choir entered dressed in white, led by this year’s Lucia with her glowing candle crown, the whole room softened. The familiar Swedish Lucia songs echoed through the shrine, and for a moment, it felt like we had all stepped into a little pocket of Scandinavian winter right here in Taipei. Our friends from the International Community Choir added their warm festive harmonies, lifting everyone’s Christmas spirits even higher.

And then came the treats.

Let’s just say the 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐧𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐨𝐮𝐭, and the 𝐏𝐫𝐚̈𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐠𝐥𝐨̈𝐠𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐡𝐢𝐭, even though we may have been a bit heavy-handed with the rum this year. Judging from the laughter and rosy cheeks, nobody seemed to mind.

Reverend 𝐎𝐥𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐥𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 from the 𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚 also led a short, heartfelt traditional service that reminded us why Lucia remains such a cherished custom: it brings light, hope, and togetherness at the darkest time of year. Sharing that spirit here in Taiwan made the afternoon deeply meaningful for all of us.

A warm 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 to everyone who joined, and to our wonderful supporters: the Swedish School Association, the Swedish Church in Asia, the Swedish Representative’s Office, and the International Community Choir.

A special shout-out to Johan Skarendal, Robin Johansson, Agneta Olofsson, and 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐑𝐨̈𝐬𝐭𝐡 for their dedication. And of course, our amazing Young Professionals team: Oline Brevik Svensson, 蔡鳳駿 Fong-Chun Tsai, Yu-Ting Yeh, 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐃𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐢𝐝𝐚, Alexander Pålstam, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐢-𝐘𝐮𝐧.

𝐒𝐞𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://lnkd.in/g_J9X54p

𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭: 𝐅𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨 蔡鳳駿 Fong-Chun Tsai