St Lucia and yummy Saffron Buns

Lucia day in Scandinavia is on December 13th - a very special day in the Scandinavian calendar.  Originally, St Lucia celebrated "the bearer of light" and the tradition today is still that a train of people dressed in white will walk in the dark bearing candles, singing Christmas carols. A girl is elected to portray Lucia, wearing a white gown with a red sash and a crown of candles on her head,...

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First Sunday of Advent

The advent candle, to be found in most Scandinavian homes during the advent time, is four candles placed in the 'adventsstake', a tray or candleholder. Traditionally purple candles are used but as the 'all white Scandi Christmas' white is popular this is often seen too. One candle is lit every week starting on the first Sunday of Advent up until the fourth and last Sunday before Christmas Eve....

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Be a friend – BlimE

Anti-Bullying Week sends a clear and positive message that bullying is neither acceptable or inevitable in our schools and communities. Anti-Bullying Week 2010 will take place from 15-19 November. This year the main focus is the importance of taking action together. Whilst visiting Norway last week we noticed a Norwegian campaign, BlimE(Join In) launched by NRK Super, Norway's largest broadcaster...

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Autumn memories with Monamici

Last weekend, when we had such beautiful autumn weather, we met up with the Scandinavian photographer Mi Bewick. Mi is a Scandinavian photographer, who's been living and working in London and Brighton for the last 12 years. Mi grew up in the Scandinavian countryside, where she got used to the vast open spaces with subdued colours and people, animals and nature close at heart. She carried on to...

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