HEXHAM marked a Swedish festival that celebrates the triumph of light over the winter darkness.
Sankta Lucia returned to Hexham Abbey on Saturday, December 3 for the first time since 2019 after it was unable to go ahead due to financial uncertainty and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Singers from the renowned London Nordic Choir performed traditional Scandinavian-inspired seasonal songs.
This was followed by the traditional Sankta Lucia performance in which Lucia processes around the darkened Abbey wearing a crown of candles.
She is followed by the rest of the choir dressed in white gowns, carrying candles, and singing traditional Swedish songs.
The Abbey first celebrated Sankta Lucia in 2017. After a three-year break, this year's sell-out event was organised by Katrin Auld and supported by Hexham Town Council, Northumberland County Council, Queen’s Hall Arts and Hexham Community Partnership.
Katrin said: "It was amazing. We have had lots of positive feedback."
One Ukrainian attendee told her the festival had 'brought light to her soul' and Katrin added: "So many stories like that made it worthwhile."
People travelled far and wide to attend the event.
Tickets included a post-performance glass of glögg and a cinnamon bun.
Various Hexham charities received free tickets to hand out.
Katrin hopes to organise the event again next year, but said it will depend on funding.
"If we had not had the brilliant funding from Hexham Town Council and Northumberland County Council, we would not have been able to do it," she said.
Sankta Lucia is officially observed in Sweden on December 13.
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