Home Page

Holiday exhibits at the American Swedish Institute

Posted Online: 11/12/02

The American Swedish Institute welcomes you to celebrate a tradition of holiday exhibits within the 1904 Turnblad Mansion - the castle on Park Avenue. Museum hours are Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday 12-4 p.m., Wednesday 12-8 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. Museum admission is $5, $4 ages 62 and over, $3 ages 6-18. Children under six are admitted free with an adult. Free admission the first Wednesday of the month. The American Swedish Institute is at 2600 Park Avenue in Minneapolis. For information, call 612-871-4907.

Christmas in Scandinavia: Nov. 22-Jan. 12, features decorated trees and table settings for Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland. The holiday tables are set with fine linens, china and glassware from each country and are accompanied by a decorated tree. Traditional and contemporary designs are used to bring a Scandinavian Christmas to life. The Swedish tree is decorated by institute volunteers and is covered with strings of Swedish flags, candles, straw goats, heart-shaped ginger cookies, woven paper heart baskets and julgranskara-meller (brightly colored tissue paper frills wrapped around candy treats.) Other trees and table settings are provided by members of the Scandinavian community in the midwest.

Illumination of a Saint: The Legend of Santa Lucia, Nov. 22-Jan. 12, explores the Swedish traditions associated with Saint Lucia. Photographs and story panels detail Lucia's beginnings as a fourth century martyr, the legends surrounding her and how the holiday is celebrated today. Lucia Day is celebrated every year on December 13, which according to folk tradition, was the longest night of the year. Generally, the oldest daughter in the family is the Lucia. She gets up early in the morning, dons a white gown with a red sash, and wears a crown of candles. The rest of the family waits in bed anticipating Lucia's visit. They know she will bring them a tray of coffee and treats of saffron-flavored buns and ginger cookies. The legends may vary, but Lucia shines through as a symbol of light and hope.

The American Swedish Institute holds its own Lucia Festival to sell-out crowds each year. The pageant will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 3 a.m. at Augustana Lutheran Church, 11th Avenue South and 7th Street in downtown Minneapolis. The Lucia program features songs and carols sung in Swedish, stories and poems, including the legend of Saint Lucia, and the presentation of the American Swedish Institute's Lucia for 2002. Tickets are $6 and must be purchased in advance. Ticket sales begin Nov. 1. Call 612-871-4907.