Santa Lucia procession celebrates culture, holiday cheer

Celebrating culture during the holiday season.

Brooklynites gathered at Redeemer St. John, 939 83rd Street, on Wednesday, December 13 for the annual Santa Lucia Procession and Celebration.

Presented by The Ridge Creative Center and the Scandinavian East Coast Museum, kids celebrated the holiday, which showcased the little ones dressed in white singing and partaking in baking as well as arts and crafts.

“I thought it was very beautiful,” said Victoria Hofmo, founder of the Ridge Creative Center and president of the Scandinavian East Coast Museum. “The staff participated well with all the kids and we have this young girl that we met through one of the other children. She’s older and in eighth grade. She has a beautiful voice and we asked if she would sing for us so she did a beautiful solo, which was great. One of our parents played the piano. It was a very nice event.”

Classics such as “Tip Tip Tap,” “O Holy Night” and “Silent Night” were performed by the students, staff and friend of the Ridge Creative Center.

This year’s iteration brought back some beloved traditions.

“This year, we were able to do what we did in the past, which was make cookies and the arts and crafts,” she said. “We weren’t able to do that last year.”

Hofmo also discussed the importance of celebrating culture.

“The turnout was great. Parents showed up with their kids and people from the museum,” she said. “Our program at the Ridge Creative Center has a focus on sharing cultural things with people. I don’t believe in taking away things. I believe in sharing and doing more.”