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EVENTS
YEAR ROUNDMuseums - Visual art has always been a beloved form of expression for the Icelander. Reykjavik is home to more than a dozen museums and art galleries, and there are over 50 more throughout the rest of the country. Icelandic artists draw their inspirations from their extraordinary surroundings as well as the ancestral culture of their homeland. Icelandic Theater - Play performances in Iceland promise to be extraordinarily good as The National Theater of Iceland celebrated its 50th anniversary in the year 2000 with an ambitious program throughout the whole year. Reykjavik also offers another full time Theater Company performing at The Reykjavik City Theater. The National Theater, ph.: 551-1200, fax: 551-1204, www.leikhus.is , e-mail: [email protected] The Reykjav�k City Theatre, ph.: 568-5500, fax: 568-03 83, web: www.borgarleikhus.is, e-mail: [email protected] Symphony - The Icelandic Symphony Orchestra has for many years been a cornerstone of Icelandic musical life, and the orchestra enjoys great, and well deserved, popularity among Icelanders and foreigners alike. At their Carnegie Hall debut the orchestra received rave reviews from music critic Alex Ross of the New York Times who said, "..the performance was tense, severe, fiercely expressive...staggeringly good." The Icelandic Symphony Orchestra has already made ten records for international market. Weekly concerts are performed with various conductors and featured artists from all over the world. Ph.: 562-2255, fax: 562-4475. Web.: www.sinfonia.is, email: [email protected]
Christmas (December) - When days are short, beloved folklore adds to the mystique and glories of Christmas in Iceland, so while American children dream of sugarplums and Santa Claus, little ones in Iceland are tantalized by visions of Gully Gawk, Window Peeper, Bowl Licker, Pot Scraper, Door Slammer - among others. These are the Yuletide Lads, elf-like spirits who live in the mountains until December 12, when - one by one - they descend to the villages to create mischief as Icelandic families prepare for the holiday festivities. Each day, one of thirteen Lads makes an appearance and stays for thirteen days. They're all gone by January 6. In spite of the havoc they seem to create, they are cherished by Icelanders young and old, who anxiously anticipate their arrival and see them off with some sadness - reassured that they will return again next year.
Icelanders go in for Christmas in a big way, with the 13 separate Santa Clauses (Yuletide Lads) who play pranks and sing in the beautifully lit streets.
Iceland is also a treat for grownups in the beginning of December when restaurants around the country lay out their lavish "Christmas Buffets." These smorgasbords become quite extravagant in their content and presentation because of the fierce competition between the restaurants for the holiday business. The Christmas buffets carry traditional Icelandic goodies such as succulent lamb, Hangikjot (smoked lamb), venison, goose and other game bird, fresh seafood, and laufabraud (deep-fried paper-thin bread). The dessert tables overflow with Christmas cookies, kleinur (fried dough), delicate tortes and cream-laden cakes. Calorie counting is not recommended.
Another Christmas tradition in Iceland is when people make up for the short days and long nights by lighting up the community with thousands of Christmas lights. For as far as the eye can see twinkling lights illuminate the scenery into a winter wonderland.
New Year's Eve (December 31) - New Year's Eve is always a special celebration in Iceland when the entire nation goes all out with community bonfires, house parties, club outings, and fireworks that fill the night sky.
January 4, 5 and 6. The Icelandic Symphony Orchestra and the Choir of the Icelandic Opera. Concert. Works of Strauss, Zeller, Lehar, Stolz and others. Conductor Peter Guth. Soloist Arnd�s Halla �sgeirsd�ttir and the Choir of the Icelandic Opera. Laugardalsh�ll hall Reykjav�k. The Icelandic Symphony Orchestra, ph.: 562-2255, fax: 562-4475. Web.: www.sinfonia.is, email: [email protected]
Thorrablot (February) - Midwinter feast (�orrabl�t or Thorrablot). Iceland still celebrates many of the old Viking traditions. A good example of this is the Thorrablot, which takes place during the entire month of February. During this month the Vikings celebrated with great feasts and plenty of dancing and singing because February was the fourth month of winter, which meant that spring would be returning soon. Therefore restaurants and homes alike feature special menus with some of the old traditional Viking foods. Some of these delicacies include Slatur, which is sheep's blood pudding rolled in lard and sewn up in the stomach, as well as Svith, which is a half boiled lamb's head, and of course everybody's favorite, pickled ram's testicles. Of course these foods are not part of the normal diet of Icelanders, but they are very adamant about holding on to their Viking heritage. Visit Iceland in February; it is well worth experiencing.
February 8 - The Icelandic Symphony Orchestra. Concert. Works of John Speight, Charles Ives and James MacMillan. Conductor James MacMilolan and soloist Raphael Wallfisch. H�sk�lab�� Reykjav�k. The Icelandic Symphony Orchestra, ph.: 562-2255, fax: 562-4475. Web.: www.sinfonia.is, email: [email protected]
Beer Day (March 1st) - This celebrated event began on March 1st, 1989 when a 75 year long prohibition of beer was lifted. Highly festive celebrations are held at pubs, restaurants, and clubs all around Reykjavik. Held in restaurants and bars throughout Reykjavik.
Beer & Food Festival (March 1 - 7) - This week long festival of special promotions at restaurants and bars brings to light achievements of chefs and brew masters, as well as manufacturers of Icelandic gourmet products such as caviar, shrimp, lamb and cheese. In restaurants and bars throughout Reykjavik.
Bolludagur or "Buns Day" (February 26) - Iceland celebrates two holidays in February that seem to revolve simply around the consumption of delicious foods with guiltless abandonment. Two days before Lent is known as Bolludagur or "Buns Day." Homes, restaurants and particular bakeries, overflow with delicately made cream puffs or "buns". These "buns" come in all different shapes and sizes, filled with cream, jam, and sometimes drizzled in chocolate. Children especially love Bun Day because they get to wake up early and try to catch their parents still in bed. If they do, they "beat" them out of bed with their individually made Bolluvondur or "Bun Wands," which are colorfully decorated with strips of paper and gleaming ribbon. The parents are then obligated to give their children one cream puff for every "blow" received.
Sprengidagur or " Bursting Day" (February 27) - Iceland celebrates two holidays in February that seem to revolve simply around the consumption of delicious foods with guiltless abandonment. During the second day of this tradition on Shrove Tuesday (the day before Lent) every Icelandic home and most restaurants flood with the aroma of Saltkjot og baunir or salted-meat and peas. The name of the Sprengidagur refers to the idea that the individual feasts on this hearty dish to the point of bursting.
"�skudagur" or Ash Wednesday (February 28) - Ash Wednesday is celebrated in Iceland with a unique custom that is very entertaining for children. Ashes are collected into small bags known as "�skupokar" or Ash Bags. As a prank, these bags are secretly pinned onto people's clothing. The day is also marked with children singing and parading around the streets and shops, begging for treats.
Trout Fishing Season (April 1 - September 20) - Anglers from all over the world have long sought out the unusually fresh lakes and rivers of Iceland. Fishing permits may be purchased at short notice in numerous rivers and lakes. For advice and permit arrangements contact The Angling Club of Iceland Ph 568 6050, www.arctic.is/angling/, e-mail: [email protected]
Easter (April 12-16) - At Eastertime in Iceland those with a sweet tooth are definitely welcome! Children and even grownups are treated with traditional Icelandic chocolate Easter eggs or Paskaegg, which are made in Iceland. What is so special about each Easter egg is that it is more than just a hollowed out piece of chocolate. The egg, which varies in size from very tiny to colossal, is stuffed with yummy candy and a slice of Icelandic wit and wisdom. This fortune-cookie-like wisdom, or Malshatt, comes in the form of some 400 proverbs based on folklore, history and homilies. Children of all ages look forward to reading their Easter proverbs, which range from warnings against gluttony and greed to light-hearted versions of "home is where the heart is." On Easter Sunday churches throughout the land fill with families dressed in their Easter finery, followed by the traditional meal of roasted Icelandic lamb served with rhubarb jelly and sugar-browned potatoes. Easter Monday is also an official holiday in Iceland commonly celebrated by families getting together for outdoor fun and relaxation.
First Day of Summer (April 19) - In the old days Icelanders divided the year into only two seasons, winter and summer. After the long winter they still celebrate this first day of "summer" with parades, sporting events and organized entertainment, held in various places around Iceland. Ph 510 6600 Fax 552 9614
Puffin Season (May) - Bird watchers and nature lovers alike flock every spring to the Westmann Islands (20 miles south of Iceland) to view the return of the Puffin, or Lundi in Icelandic, from its long winter at sea. During this time millions of Puffins, the clowns of the sea, return to nest with their life-mates, and lay eggs. The Westmann Islands are a temporary home for the most famous whale in the world, Keiko, from the "Free Willy" movies. Keiko, who was transported to a seapen in Klettsvik Cove in September of 1998, will live there until he is ready to be released back into nature.
Miss Iceland Contest (late May) - : This beauty pageant, a very popular and highly publicized event in Iceland, is held at the mega-club Broadway in Hotel Island. Beautiful young girls travel from all over the country to compete for this prestigious title. The crowned winner then goes off to the Miss World contest where she will hopefully follow in the high-heeled footsteps of her predecessors, Miss World 1986, and Miss World 1989. Broadway Entertainment Hall Ph: 533 1100
Salmon Fishing Season (June - September) - Clean air and water are two of Iceland's major natural resources, both crucial reasons why there is a rich and proud tradition for producing some of the world's most delicious salmon. Salmon fishing in Icelandic rivers is in great demand, so it is advisable to book at least 2-3 months in advance. For advice and permit arrangements contact: The Angling Club of Iceland, ph.: 568-6050, web.: www.arctic.is/angling/, e-mail: [email protected]
Light Nights (June - August) - A live theater and audiovisual presentation based on Icelandic Sagas, historical events, folklore and music through the ages. Performed in English. Shows every day except Sunday at 9pm in Reykjavik at the Tjarnarbio Theater, ph. 561 0280, fax 561 0210.
Sjomannadagur or Seamen's Day (June 3rd) - This holiday is often the greatest celebration of the year with festivities including parades, rowing and swimming races, tugs of war, and even sea rescue competitions. This fun filled and light hearted occasion for the whole family always has a lot going on. Mi�bakki, Old Harbor
Ph: 552 8211.
Icelandic Independence Day (June 17th) - In 1944 Iceland declared full independence from the Danish crown. June 17th was chosen as the official holiday because it was the birthday of Jon Sigurdsson who is regarded as Iceland's champion to the nationalist cause. The greatest celebrations are held in Reykjavik with parades, street theater, sideshows and dancing, but throughout the country the day is filled with picnics and various organized festivities as well.
Arctic Open International Golf Tournament (June 20-23) - Sponsored by the Akureyri Golf Club, The Arctic Open is a four-day championship event open to both professional and amateur golfers. This mid-summer night golf tournament is a 36 hole international match held among the majestic snow capped mountains of Akureyri. Participants tee off in the evening and play through the night thanks to the never setting midnight sun. Akureyri Golf Club, ph.: 462-2974, fax: 461-1755, www.nett.is/ga, e-mail: [email protected]
Laugavegur Marathon (July 21) - The race begins in Landmannalaugar and finishes at Husadalur, Thorsmork. The "Laugarvegur" course is one of the most beautiful in Iceland, stretching from Landmannalaugar in the highlands to Thorsmork, a natural reservation area. The total distance of the race is 55-km. www.toto.is/rmar
Flight of the Puffling (August) - A sight not to be missed in August is the flight of the puffling, when millions of baby puffins leave their nests for the very first time to test their wings. This takes place in the Westmann Islands that are a temporary home for the most famous whale in the world, Keiko, from the "Free Willy" movies. Keiko, who was transported to a seapen in Klettsvik Cove in September of 1998, will live there until he is ready to be released back into nature.
Verslunnarmannahelgi or Labor Day Weekend. (August 4 - 6) - On the first weekend in August Icelanders by the thousands take to their cars and head out of town to camp in the wilderness or join in one of the many organized events that are held throughout the country. These range from family-style gatherings to outdoor raging rock festivals.
Reykjavik Cultural Night(August 19th) - On this enchanted evening museums, galleries, churches, cafes, restaurants, stores and other establishments in downtown Reykjavik stay open into the night and present a variety of exhibitions, concerts, performances, theater and other cultural events. Choice selections of food and drink are served, and the evening is concluded with a firework display at Tj�rnin Lake. www.rvk.is/info
Reykjavik Marathon (August 16th) - This international/annual event involves thousands of participants from Iceland and abroad. Marathon proper, half marathon, 10 km and fun run (4.3 miles). Ph 568 5525 Fax 581 3686. website www.toto.is/rmar e-mail [email protected]
Rettir or Sheep and Horse Round Up (September) - An interesting time to visit Iceland is during the month of September when farmers set off on Horseback to gather up their sheep and horses that have grazed freely in the highlands over the summer. When the animals are brought down to the lowlands they are herded into pens and sorted. The end of this major event in the farming calendar is celebrated with singing, dancing, and lively festivities.
September is Cultural Festival Time. Every year Reykjavik hosts a Jazz Festival in Reykjavik and Film Festival - both of them international events with plenty of celebrated guests. Actually, September is not the only time for jazz and film lovers, since Egilssta�ir in the East stages an annual international jazz festival in August too, and there's a festival of short films in Reykjav�k every spring. |
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