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Lucia Parade
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When:
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13 Dec 2008 (annual)
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Where:
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Senate Square
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| Opening Hours: |
Crowning 5pm; parade 6pm
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Every year, the Helsinki Lucia Parade travels from the Senate Square through Aleksanterinkatu and Mannerheimintie, ending at the Narinkka Square. Beforehand, Lucia is crowned at the cathedral and emerges with a crown of candles to lead the way.
The tradition of Lucia's Day is based on the legend of virgin-martyr Saint Lucia, who was killed in Syracuse, Sicily, during the persecutions of the Christians in 304 AD. Since the 14th century, the commemoration day of Saint Lucia has been 13 December in the calendar of the saints of the Catholic Church. The tradition came to Finland from Sweden, and the first Lucia election and parade were arranged in Finland in 1930.
Since 1950, the annual election of Lucia has been arranged by the daily Swedish-language newspaper, Hufvudstadsbladet.
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