Saga - 2004, Page 89

Summary
B I RT H D AY C E L E B R AT I O N A N D S E L F - C O N S C I O U S N E S S
An analysis of the diaries of Rev. Hálfdán Einarsson (1801–1865)
The custom of celebrating birthdays, in the modern sense, is generally thought to
have found its way to Iceland late in the 19th century. This article, however, exa-
mines birthday celebrations as described by Rev. Hálfdán Einarsson in a diary
which he kept from 1825 until his death. The picture he presents does not agree
completely with the above-mentioned assumption.
Rev. Hálfdán’s diary shows that he regarded his birthday as a noteworthy
milestone in his life, right from the start of his journal writing. For most of his life,
this day held a place of importance for him spiritually, and its significance grew
as his life progressed. As Rev. Hálfdán saw it, his birthday was primarily a con-
venient time for religious and existential contemplation, together with the re-
flection and self-examination involved in keeping a journal. Celebrating a birth-
day for him was thus of a completely psychological and religious nature. Due to
the generally accepted dating of the introduction of birthday celebrations in
Iceland, Rev. Hálfdán’s birthday entries can likely be interpreted as signifying a
preliminary stage in such celebrations. Because of its introverted nature, it is dif-
ficult to catch a glimpse of this anywhere but in personal sources, following
microhistorical methods.
The birthday entries written by Rev. Hálfdán give us insights into the depths
of his mind. We come face to face with his comprehension of time, of himself and
of his place in the world and in the sight of God; his conception of God is
revealed. Hálfdán’s individuality and self-consciousness is very apparent every-
where in his meditations, whether these concern biographical details, aspects of
Christian salvation or ethical values.
If the conclusion of Icelandic microhistorical research, that a strong, indivi-
dualistic self-image only begins to be visible in diary writings in Iceland late in
the 19th century, is to be believed, then it is clear that Rev. Hálfdán was several
decades ahead of his time in this regard. He could thus perhaps be called one of
the first “modern Icelanders”.
A F M Æ L I S H A L D O G S J Á L F S V I T U N D 89
Saga 2004 - NOTA 1.12.2004 9:40 Page 89