Letter from Petrozavodsk

Photo: Lena Alto

The Nordic music festival “Sankta Lucia” has been held in Petrozavodsk since December, 2000 by the Gelmer Sinisalo Children’s Music School #1. The project was created by Lena Alto. The Nordic music festival isn’t really a celebration of the Swedish Sankta Lucia holiday. Actually it got only its name and the main character – the girl in a white dress with a crown of candles on her head – from the original holiday. Lucia’s appearance opens the festival, and at the end of it she gives presents to all the participants. The Nordic music festival is a grand concert (or, as in December 2003 and 2006, a series of concerts). The participants perform pieces by Nordic composers and folk music of the Northlands: Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Carelia. In 2006 the Nordic music festival consisted of two concerts: “Lucia-classics” and “Lucia-folk&rock”. In 2003 a band from the Faeroe Islands called “Tyr” took part in the festival. They were invited to Russia by Lena Alto and gave three concerts: one in St. Petersburg and two in Petrozavodsk. Now they have lots of fans in these cities. In 2002 and 2003 the project received financial aid from the Nordic council. It’s quite simple to become a participant of “Lucia”. You just have to play some musical instrument or sing. And, of course, your repertoire must include Nordic music. “Lucia” is held annually in Petrozavodsk (situated in Carelia, Northwest Russia). You can contact Lena Alto at sindre@yandex.ru.

Photo: Lena Alto