From arts to agriculture, the Icelandic calendar features a variety of festivals and events throughout the year, in various parts of the country. A common theme in most celebrations is singing and dancing, but visitors don’t have to carry a note or put on their dancing shoes to take it all in. Following is a look at a few annual Icelandic events:
The Icelandic Festival of Porrablot
Porrablot is a festival with pagan roots, held every February as a means to chase away the winter blues. Residents in towns across the country celebrate by singing, dancing and feasting on the delicacies of hakarl (rotten shark), singed sheep’s heads and Brennivin, a local, caraway seed-flavoured spirit. Porrablot events in smaller villages welcome everyone (others are private affairs), but they must usually be booked in advance. The Tourist Information Centre in Reykjavik should be able to help.
The Reykjavik Arts Festival in Iceland
The Reykjavik Arts Festival first took place in 1970, and now for two weeks in May every year, Iceland’s capital celebrates the arts. Its purpose, according to the festival’s official website, is to “ promote Icelandic and international culture in all fields of art.” The event features music, opera, ballet, theatre and visual arts draw national and international artists.
Sjomannadagur (Seafarer’s Day) in Iceland
Being an island, it should come as no surprise that Iceland celebrates Sjomannadagur (Seafarer’s Day). Local fishermen and spectators mark the first Sunday in June on their calendars as the day upon which to partake in and cheer on participants in tests of strength. Rowing, swimming, tug-of-war and sea rescue contests all test the seafarers’ mettle in what is the greatest party of the year in many fishing villages.
Iceland Celebrates its Independence Day
Iceland’s Independence Day falls on June 17. In 1944, the nation declared its independence from Denmark, and June 17 also happens to be the birth date of Jon Sigurosson, who contributed toward the battle for independence more than any other Icelander. The day is a festive occasion throughout the country, featuring music, dancing, parades, sideshows and street theatre, with the largest celebrations taking place in the capital, Reykjavik.
Reykjavik, Iceland, Holds Cultural Night
Reykjavik Cultural Night takes place on a Saturday in late August, when just about every venue in the city centre is transformed into a showcase. Shops host musical events, poetry readings take place in cafes, street performers fill the avenues and buskers play wherever they can find a spare patch of ground. Fireworks cap off the night, and pubs and cafes remain open until the wee hours.
The Icelandic Festival of Rettir
A more rustic festival in Iceland is that of Rettir, held every September. The festivities mark farmers heading out on horseback to herd their sheep back down to the lowlands from their highland summer pastures. This is a major event on the farming calendar, and singing, dancing and other festivities wrap it all up. Visitors to Iceland in September may check with the Tourist Information Centre in Reykjavik to see where Rettir is taking place.
A few of Iceland’s festivals have their roots in their way of life — farming and fishing, for example, while others celebrate the arts and mark the country’s independence from Denmark. The variety of events leaves visitors spoiled for choice, as the festivals take place throughout the country over the year.
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