Do you feel depressed and lonely during dark winter ? Don’t you have energy or motivation to get up in the morning ? Here, in Sweden during December, the sun rises at 8:49 am (in Gothenburg, 14th December 2022) and it’s already set at 15:25. It’s easy to let yourself be locked at home and feel low. Especially if you are living alone, you might experience isolation which can cause extra exhaustion from loneliness. But, here is the hope. Today, I would like to introduce you to a wonderful event that will bring light to these difficult times.
Lucia Concert in Domkyrkan
It was actually my first time going to a lucia concert after living in Sweden for 8 years! When I went to Christmas in the 19th century at Torekällberget – SÖDERTÄLJE, I saw Lucia walk and they had a performance on the stage. However, it was too cold to stand outside. So, I wanted to take the chance to go and see the real concert. I found a concert in Domkyrkan in Gothenburg and decide to go. When I arrived there, I found out that the tickets were needed and they were already sold out. I was about to give up and go back home. However, I was so lucky that a group of three sold me a ticket of their brother who could not come (even with a 20 kr discount).
Beautiful Echo filled in the church
Inside of domkyrkan was so beautiful. There were many people, not only local Swedish people but also visitors from Germany and America. When the concert started, I heard a beautiful choir from somewhere up. It seems like they were singing on the second floor. The beautiful voices filled the church and spread out as echoes in the space. My whole body was let to absorb the beautiful sounds. I listen to music daily with my headphones connected to my phone. However, when the real voice with different tones and rhythms got all together in such a special space, it creates a wonderful echo. It was absolutely magical and worth visiting there.
Without darkness, there is no light that shine
After a few songs, they showed up with a traditional Lucia song. A girl with candles on the head started to walk on the way to the stage followed by others. Looking at all the children with calm lights, all of a sudden, my tears came out. It was not only due to the warm and beautiful songs that soak into my heart, but also due to the emotions that was created by lighting up the candles and bringing them all together in one place, which was so comforting, warming and peaceful (in a calm and such a peaceful way). It was very symbolic to see bringing lights in this bitter cold winter with darkness. It gave me hope, warmth and connection to others and community and embracing life. It was a realisation of “without darkness there is no light that shines and is appreciated”. The concert was a wonderful experience in the cold, dark Nordic winter. It reminded me of why I put down roots here. Darkness reminds me of true warmth.
The concert started at 19:00 on the 13th of December and finished around 20:20 or so.
It was a nice length with a great mix of songs from very warm and emotional to more joyful and powerful with some drums. Akapera was beautiful enough but with instruments such as piano and organs added extra tastes and that was wonderful, too.
This concert was done by a domkyrkan choir group so there were many parents who came and saw their children but there were also single people like me and the old man who sat next to me so it was a really nice community event.
Summary
It was such a wonderful experience that I really want this to be a family tradition. It was beautiful and increased my appreciation of this time of the year of darkness. So if you are feeling depressed, lonely, don’t have energy or motivation to get up or go through the day, why not visit a lucia concert and even if you missed this time or cannot go out, why don’t you enjoy watching the film. If you live in Sweden, you can watch beautiful lucia films here.
I hope you are well and take good care of yourself.
I will talk to you soon!