At the edge of the world, in the arms of the Atlantic Ocean, stands a small island – Iceland. Being far away from other civilizations, Icelanders managed to keep their ancient traditions. These traditions determine their mythological way of thinking and special course of life nowadays.
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History
The ancient Scandinavian people spent most of the year in the grip of winter. On long cold evenings, they warmed themselves around the fire and told legends. Their view of the world was very different. They believed in gods, nature spirits, elves, and trolls. And this belief was passed on to modern Icelanders, which are very reverent and deeply honor their heritage.
In 2020 came out a funny American film “Eurovision: The Story of a Fire Saga”. It was filmed in Iceland and England. The main characters are mediocre musicians dreaming of fame. One day the elves help them find fame. Because in Iceland, elves can do anything.
Probably the huge layer of traditions was preserved because for many years Iceland was living inside itself and did not let other cultures in its internal and external space. The same is true of the language that they speak even now. Modern Icelandic is almost indistinguishable from Old Norse. It was spoken by their ancestors, the Vikings, who migrated to Iceland in the ninth century. So any Icelander can easily read the ancient tales of their forefathers.
Sumardagurinn Fyrsti
Knowing their past experiences and the roots of their worldview, Icelanders take great responsibility in celebrating national holidays. For example, Iceland will soon celebrate Sumardagurinn Fyrsti, or the first day of summer. But it is not summer in our usual sense, but between April 19 and 25, on a day that falls on Thursday. This year it’s April 21.
Why does summer come in April? In Iceland, the year has always been divided into only two parts: winter and summer. And summer according to the Icelandic calendar came when the polar night ended. Celtic peoples have a very similar holiday Beltane, which marks the departure of the dark time of day and the transition to a lighter period.
However, spring does not always mean warmth. In Iceland, if there is frosty weather on the first day of summer, it is a good sign. If winter and summer freeze together, the whole year is sure to pass in a prosperous way. Ponds covered with ice on the holiday night is an unquestionable attribute that the same will be the layer of cream on the milk after the milking at the end of the year.
In spite of the constant cold, Icelanders have learned to warm their homes and roads by geothermal stations. They are the first in the world who know how to use nature without any harm to it and to themselves. Once again it confirms the high moral level of Icelanders, who treat life in all its manifestations with love and respect.
Day of Love
Sumardagurinn Fyrsti has a special meaning for women. Young maiden Harpu, daughter of the last months of winter Torri and Gowa, is associated with the first day of summer. Young ladies believed that on this day Harpa could point her magic hand to their future husbands. Ladies wrote the names of all suitors they liked on a slip of paper and then blindly chose the one whose name came up first.
In general women in Icelandic tradition had always played a special role. Even in Viking times women could make their own decisions and were quite independent. If they lived with a man and something did not suit them, they could easily leave him and nobody dared to reproach them. Probably this attitude and equality in the past laid the foundation for a respectful attitude towards women in the future.
Yes, in Viking times women could stand up for themselves, but they were still considered the weaker gender. Only in 1975 that the situation changed, when women started fighting for their rights. They were heard, and now Iceland ranks first in the world among countries with gender equality. Even in kindergartens, girls are taught to be strong and enduring. Emphasis is placed on sports, not on playing dolls.
Gifts to Odin and the feast
In the past, every important feast was accompanied by a sacrifice to Odin. And Sumardagurinn Fyrsti is no exception. The Islaanians have long since moved away from sacrifices and transformed the ritual into presenting gifts to relatives, friends, and even distant acquaintances.
After the gifts are exchanged, everyone is seated at a festive meal. The table is bursting with all kinds of treats. The special dishes on this day are porridge with raisins and cream, a flatbread made of rye flour stuffed with fish and lamb. And the drink that fires up the blood should be brennivin – moonshine infused with cumin. As Icelanders enjoy their meal and gorge themselves on it, they thank the gods for the blessings.
City Feast
Sumardagurinn Fyrsti is celebrated grandly and in all its magnificence.
On this day, even flags are raised over government offices. Everyone celebrates the arrival of the long-awaited summer. Parades are paraded through the streets, markets buzz with laughter, plays are staged and Icelanders put on their national and festive outfits.
In the past, Sumardagurinn Firsti had battles in the streets, but not in the brutal Viking style, just jokingly, without fatalities. Today in Reykjavik the tradition is gladly continued but in an even milder format. All the people who poured out into the street, including both adults and children, happily water each other with water pistols. To avoid turning into ice, those who are in tune for the fight put on waterproof raincoats and come off full blast.
In Iceland, children from childhood are taught not to be afraid of the cold. For example, if there is severe bad weather outside (as usual), school sports classes are not canceled. Thus, children grow up more hardened and adapted to the local climate. Therefore, if Sumardagurinn Fyrsti turned out to be quite cold, no one would rush home but continue water battles.
