Nelli's diorama entry

Over the last few years, Wyoming's Nelli Jeanne Lucus has emerged as one of the BreyerFest Diorama Contest's perennial superstars. No matter the theme, you can count on Nelli to make something big, ambitious and really unique. Here's this year's entry.

Yule! Centuries of Celebration

by Nelli Jeanne Lucus

There are many Nordic festivals that bind the seasons together, such as Sigrblót and Alfarblót, but without celebrating winter, we cannot have summer. My entry for this year's contest highlights and celebrates the Yule season! Yule is truly the “mid-summer of the winter” as it is packed with fun activities, lots of food and decoration, and has over seventeen centuries of history that ties together Nordic culture! Yule celebrates the reappearance of the Sun and the fertile land’s rebirth at the winter solstice. It is one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world!

The glowing bonfire and strings of lights bring warmth and light to welcome the Sun. Horses of all kinds rejoice together with dancing and wassailing (caroling).

Bringing good luck and protection for the coming year, the yule log is decorated and celebrated throughout the winter solstice. Traditionally, a birch or oak log would be harvested and burned during the solstice, but the cake variant was adapted in the 19th century as modern housing transitioned to smaller fireplaces. Atop the yule log is holly, which brings protection and strength to continue persevering. Scaling the Yule log are three iconic figures of Nordic culture: the Swedish Dala Horse! Dating back to the 1700s in the Dalarna region of Sweden, soldiers and woodworkers would pass the time in the winter by carving small horses out of pine scraps. Utilizing leftover house paint, usually red, which symbolized joy and protection, and then decorated with kurbits— the swirling floral patterns inspired by nature and Norse mythology. What was a toy for children has now become a symbol of hope, home, and heritage. This trio was modeled after Nils Olsson’s works in Nusnä, Sweden, who started creating original Dala Horses in 1928. To this day, each horse is hand-painted, making each one unique!

A Scandinavian celebration wouldn’t be complete without the Julbock, or Yule Goat! The Julbock started as a symbol of good luck during the winter months, and by the 17th century, it was associated with Christmas festivities. In Swedish tradition, which has since faded, young men would dress up as goats and rally door-to-door delivering gifts. 

These “yule goats” were often mischievous, which brought an element of playfulness and surprise to the celebration. Today, the red ribbon and straw goat are popular decorations in homes across Sweden and are iconic. Four Julbocks can be seen dancing their way across the ice.

With this year's earlier submission deadline, I felt a little rushed and this is certainly not my best cut of work. Still, I have about ninety five hours of work in this piece, most within the last four days! Features include lighting suspended above the ice pillar and slide, as well as the bonfire,  four custom Julbocks on a motorized ice-skating rink, three Dala Horses and the yule log. All the models were created from Mini Whinnies! 

I don't know, Nelli. You might not think this is your best effort, but I think it's pretty cool. I especially love the little jumping Dala horse and the goats! Congratulations on getting in done, and good luck at BreyerFest!