Swedish Lucia Concert Performed Live in Virtual Reality, A First-of-its-Kind Event
For Immediate Release
December 10, New York —
Swedish Lucia Concert Performed Live in Virtual Reality, A First-of-its-Kind Event
On December 10th, audiences experienced the traditional Swedish Lucia concert in a groundbreaking Virtual Reality format, live in ENGAGE, marking a new era in cultural celebrations.
New York, 10 Dec — In an unprecedented blend of tradition and cutting-edge technology, The Foremothers Café-VR World successfully hosted the first-ever live Swedish Lucia Concert performed in Virtual Reality. This historic event took place at ‘The Foremothers Cafe’ in the immersive platform ENGAGE and was attended by a live global audience, setting a new standard for Virtual Reality cultural events.
Creatively interpreted especially for Virtual Reality, Lucia and her attendants were embodied in avatars wearing traditional Swedish Lucia gowns with white robes accented by red sashes around their waists—created especially for the event by the ENGAGE team. Lucia herself stood waiting beneath a ring of candles, symbolizing the traditional candlelit Lucia Crown, singing the traditional Entrance Song ''Sankta Lucia," while her attendants gracefully made their way to her from behind the VR World’s cathedral (modeled after Lund’s Cathedral, in Lund, Sweden).
In front of a full house, Lucia and her attendants sang traditional Swedish holiday carols, such as ‘Nu strålar en stjärna’, ‘Gläns över sjö och strand’, and ‘Godermorgon mitt herrskap’, as well as ‘O Holy Night’ in English.
"My goal was to share our gorgeous and uniquely Swedish Lucia tradition with the global XR Community. Virtual Reality, being a 6DoF (six degrees of freedom) immersive experience, lends itself perfectly for the international community to attend a Lucia concert without having to travel to Sweden, or to local concerts hosted by the Swedish diaspora. In Virtual Reality, people from all over the world can attend together. It was a true honor to bring our beloved Swedish tradition to the global stage using Virtual Reality," said Helen Lundström Erwin, Creator of The Foremothers Cafe VR World and Producer of the Lucia event. “...and I am thrilled to pave the way for future cultural events in VR.”
This innovative event was not only a technical achievement but also a significant cultural bridge, connecting diverse audiences to Swedish heritage through immersive technology.
About The Foremothers Cafe:
The Foremothers Cafe is a Virtual Space, set in Lund, Sweden, in 1918, inspired by Helen Lundström Erwin’s historical novel, Sour Milk in Sheep’s Wool, about Swedish women’s history at the turn of the 20th century. In its third season of operation, The Foremothers Café functions as a Cultural Center and a Living History Museum and is dedicated to bringing people together to celebrate culture, history, and community through art, cultural events, and engaging conversations. Inspired by the courageous women of early 20th-century Sweden and the world, we create a space that honors their legacy of resilience, empowerment, and mutual support, while fostering a modern gathering place for creativity, dialogue, and connection.
For more information about the Swedish Lucia Concert in Virtual Reality or to arrange an interview with Helen Lundström Erwin, please contact us at:
press@helenerwin.com or contact Helen directly through the contact form on this website.