Iceland: Facts & Stats

CULTURE

Traditions:

Icelanders are proud of their Viking heritage and Icelandic language and take great care to preserve their traditions and language. Modern Icelandic remains close to the Old Norse spoken in the Viking Age. For example, the word for computer (an introduced object) is tölva which combines the ancient terms for number and seer.

Icelandic society and culture has a high degree of gender equality, with many women in leadership positions in government and business. Iceland also has a highly progressive gay rights legislation, with couples having been able to register civil unions since 1996, and adopt since 2006. Women retain their names after marriage, since Icelanders generally do not use surnames but patronyms or (in certain cases) matronyms. See Icelandic name for further discussion.

Iceland also has the most extensive and progressive child protection law. The new Children's Act, passed in March 2003, and effective as of November 1, 2003, not only places Iceland on the list of twenty-five nations that have outlawed spanking, the act also outlaws verbal and emotional abuse and makes child protection a priority. Physical or mental violence is punishable by imprisonment and/or fine, and there is no legal defense.

In 2006, Iceland was ranked as the fourth happiest nation in the world by an independent scientific study.

Celebrations:

Festivals in Iceland are a great excuse for the natives to get together and celebrate outdoors in the warmer weather or indoors during the colder months. As guests, visitors to Iceland are welcome to join in and enjoy the music, food and fun.

Þorrablót (February) - A month-long festivity, taking places in homes and restaurants. Traditional Viking foods are consumed.

Bolludagur or "Bun Day" – The day two days before Lent is known as Bolludagur or "Bun Day". Homes, restaurants and particular bakeries, overflow with delicately made cream puffs or "buns".

Sprengidagur or " Bursting Day" - On Shrove Tuesday (the day before Lent) every Icelandic home and most restaurants flood with the aroma of salted meat and peas. The name Sprengidagur refers to the idea that the individual feasts on this hearty dish to the point of bursting.

Öskudagur or Ash Wednesday - Ash Wednesday is celebrated in Iceland with a unique custom that is very entertaining for children. Ashes are collected into small bags known as "Öskupokar" 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.

Beer Day - This celebrated event began on March 1st, 1989 when a 75- year-long prohibition of beer was lifted.

Beer & Food Festival (March) - 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.

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.

Easter - Children and even grown-ups are given a treat in the form of chocolate Easter eggs.

First Day of Summer - In the old days, the 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.

Sjómannadagur or Seamen's Day (June) - This holiday is marked by festivities such as parades, rowing and swimming races, tugs of war, and sometimes sea rescue competitions.

Icelandic Republic Day (June 17th) - In 1944 the Kingdom of Iceland was declared a republic. June 17th was chosen as the official holiday because it was the birthday of Jón Sigurðsson, who is regarded as Iceland's leader in the campaign for independence in the 19th century. The greatest celebrations are held in Reykjavík with parades, street theatres, sideshows and dancing, but throughout the country the day is filled with picnics and various organized festivities as well.

Verslunarmannahelgi or Labour Day Weekend. - During 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 rock festivals.

Reykjavík Cultural Night (August) - On this enchanted evening museums, galleries, churches, cafes, restaurants, stores and other establishments in downtown Reykjavík stay open into the night and present a variety of exhibitions, concerts, performances, theatre and other cultural events. Choice selections of food and drink are served, and the evening is concluded with a firework display at the harbour Miðbakki.

Reykjavík Marathon (August) - This international/annual event involves thousands of participants from Iceland and abroad, who run the Marathon proper, half marathon, 10 km and fun run (3 km).

Independence Day (December 1st) - Although not a public holiday, many Icelanders celebrate independence day, in particular Icelanders abroad. Iceland became independent from Denmark on 1 December 1918.

Alcohol:

Alcoholic drinks are very expensive compared to the UK and USA - as an example, half litre of Viking beer in a bar will cost approximately ISK 600. Liquor can be purchased at licensed bars, restaurants, or VinBud, the state monopoly. The local Icelandic drinks such as Brennivín ("Black death") contain a fairly high alcohol content, so pace yourself while at the bars.

The local beer brands are:

• Egils: Lite, Gull, Pilsner, Premium, El Grillo
• Vífillfell: Thule, Gull, Lite, Víking
• Bruggsmiðjan: Kaldi
• Ölvisholt Brewery: Skjálfti

Drinking age in Iceland is 20 for all alcoholic beverages.

Sports and Hobbies:

Though changing in the past years, Icelanders remain a very healthy nation. Children and teenagers participate in various types of leisure activities. Popular sports today are mainly soccer, athletics, handball and basketball. Sports such as golf, tennis, swimming, chess and horseback riding on Icelandic horses are also popular.

Chess is a popular type of recreation favored by the Icelanders’ Viking ancestors. The country's chess clubs have created many chess grandmasters including Friðrik Ólafsson, Jóhann Hjartarson, Margeir Pétursson, and Jón Arnason. Glíma is a form of wrestling that is still played in Iceland, thought to have originated with the Vikings. Swimming and horseback riding are popular as well as leisure activities without competition. Golf is especially common; around 1 in 8 Icelanders play the sport. Team handball is often referred to as a national sport, Iceland's team is one of the top ranked teams in the world, and Icelandic women are surprisingly good at football compared to the size of the country, the national team ranked the eighteenth best by FIFA.

Ice and rock climbing are a favorite among many Icelanders, for example to climb the top of the 4,167-foot (1,270 metre) Þumall peak in Skaftafell National Park is a challenge for many adventurous climbers, but mountain climbing is considered to be more suitable for the general public and is a very common type of leisure activity. Hvítá, among many other of the Icelandic glacial rivers, attracts kayakers and river rafterers worldwide.

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