Some cultures just really know how to do things <well>, don’t they? Here are a few weird but wonderful Icelandic traditions, customs and ways of life that we’re campaigning to bring to Britain
Jolabokaflod
We rave about this with alarming regularity but it bears repeating. Chocolate and new books for everyone on Christmas Eve?? Why is this not just the law rather than a charming Icelandic tradition?
Thorrablót
Just when the joy of Jolabokaflod is beginning to disperse, January and February arrive and bring Thorrablót, a feasting night with poems, speeches and traditional Icelandic foods. It can be a dinner with close friends or a whole town getting together, but however it’s celebrated it’s a moment to bring a little light and laughter to midwinter. Just what you need.
Bolludagur
Hot on Thorrablót’s heels (we like the way they really keep the good stuff coming through winter, by the way), Icelanders celebrate Bolludagur - BUN DAY. As if we need to say more than “BUN DAY”, this festival in late February or early March happens the day before Shrove Tuesday. Children make bun wands and spank their parents with them. Each spank is rewarded with a chocolate bun. We didn’t say Bolludagur was about good parenting, but we want a Bun Day, too.
Valuing time together
Icelanders are big on the important things in life, such as remembering to tell people you enjoyed their company. When they meet, as well as saying ‘nice to see you’ they’ll also say ‘takk fyrir síꝺast’ or ‘thanks for the last time’ so that you know they enjoyed seeing you then as well and you both remember what a jolly time it was. We’d like to see more of this.
Believing in magic
Apparently 8% of Icelanders are certain that elves exist and 45% believe it is likely that elves are a real thing. Iceland has a strong folklore tradition but we applaud the way the people throw themselves wholeheartedly into it. Especially the trolls - they’re seriously into their folklore... Yes, the trolls. What?!
Proper respect for carbs
With lots of fresh fish and veg in their diets, Icelanders live a fairly healthy lifestyle. But whatever you’re having you can be sure of a nice steamy bowl of potatoes on the side. If it’s possible to love a potato more than the British, Iceland has it covered and we can only applaud this. Every meal feels more comforting with a bowl of tatties on the side.
Getting water right
Icelandic tap water is just about the purest in the world. No need for buying plastic bottles of water here, the stuff that comes out of the tap is basically Evian. Very refreshing. And very refreshing to see the reduction in wasted plastic from all those bottles they don’t need to buy. We’d like spring water from our taps, too, please.
Taking things slow
The top speed limit in Iceland is just 55 miles per hour, so you don’t get boy racers screeching past you on the roads. It’s safer, it’s greener and it’s just less stressful when everyone is pootling along taking in the scenery rather than racing from A to B.
Scaring children just the right amount
Rather than saccharine Santas, at Christmas, Iceland has Gryla (a child-eating ogre) and The Yule Lads (Gryla’s child-eating progenies). There’s also a terrifying Yule Cat who eats children who don’t get new clothes for Christmas. Is anyone else spotting a child-eating theme emerging here? However, a law was passed in 1746 which prohibited adults from scaring children with these tales. The tales remained but after that, kids got presents in shoes as well to calm things down. Seems fair to us.
Bjordagur
We’re having Bun Day for sure, that’s safe. But now we’ve heard about BEER DAY (Bjordagur) and we definitely want that, too. Beer was actually prohibited in Iceland from 1915 to 1987 so now they celebrate its return by drinking lots of beer every 1st of March. Well, you’d want something to wash down all the buns, wouldn’t you?
If you’re feeling inspired to find out more about the Land of the Midnight Sun, don’t miss our ‘My City’ feature on Reykjavik in the November issue of The Simple Things.
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