Notre-Dame de Paris, Swedish Music and Candlelight
To get you into the holiday spirit a special Swedish-style musical event is held in Paris annually. The event is always held at the Swedish Church (Svenska kyrkan) and most years at a large church in Paris. The Swedish Church dates and times are variable but the church seating is always the same and limited.
When I lived in Sweden, I learned that the Swedish tradition is adapted from an Italian tradition. It was said that Lucia’s eyes were plucked out by some raving individual in olden days. The red sash, Saint Lucie wears, symbolizes the blood of her martyrdom. 
The candles symbolize the light she saw in things once her world went dark. Additional tidbits are available from Wikipedia about Saint Lucy’s Day. Whatever the legend details, it is a beautiful and magical event to experience.
One year, we attended and I recorded parts of the Sankta Lucia event at the Paris Swedish Church (l’église Suédoise, Metro: Courcelles) – YouTube link Sankta Lucia Choral Procession. Enjoy the moment virtually.
On a Swedish side note, the Anders Zorn retrospective exhibition at Petit Palais ends December 17. An extraordinarily talented Swedish artist, Zorn’s still is alive today in my opinion. “Along with Sargent, Sorolla, Boldini, and Besnard, he was one of the most visible disciples of an international style that was both modern and masterful, where energetic brushwork combined with bold composition and lighting to create elegant portraits that were also great works of art.“
