Members of the Varblomman Scandinavian Children's Club, from left to right, Stina Taylor, 7, Maia Taylor, 5, Kristen McDermott, 9, Alexis Moeller, 9, Casey McDermott, 7, Marie Martin, 11 and Birgitta Johnson, 12, wait to perform Christmas songs in Swedish during a during the Lucia Day festival at the Swedish American Museum Center Saturday Dec. 13, 2003, in Chicago. Varblomman teaches children Swedish folk dancing and songs. They are wearing traditional Swedish costumes similar to those that date back to the 1500s. (AP Photo/Anne Ryan)
Stina Taylor, 7, Maia Taylor, 5, Kristen McDermott, 9, Alexis Moeller, 9, Casey McDermott, 7, Marie Martin, 11 and Birgitta Johnson, 12 Interesting. Not one of those names is recognizably Swedish or even Scandinavian. I count 4 English, 2 Irish, and 1 German name.
And then in the next post:
Head baker Al Aguilar prepares Luica Kattor or Lucia buns
Definitely not Swedish!
I guess this is a sign of cultural assimilation. Just like the Irish and St. Patrick's Day, you know your ethnic group is completely woven into the fabric of America when your neighbors of other backgrounds steal your holidays from you. Plenty of gringos celebrate Cinco de Mayo down here in Arizona.
-ccm