Reykjavík Grapevine - 02.12.2011, Blaðsíða 50

AðfAngAdAgur
(Ath-founga-dager)
December 24th, Aðfangadagur, is the day Ice-
landers celebrate Christmas (as opposed to
December 25th in most countries). The first
half of the day usually goes towards finishing
off all of the last minute preparations, making
food, wrapping presents, bathing and putting
on nice clothes. Children are often occupied by
the television set, as most stations broadcast a
non-stop programme of cartoons throughout
the day.
Six o’ clock marks the official start of
Christmas in Iceland, and this is when most
households sit down to enjoy a pleasant holiday
meal. After dinner, most people commence
opening their presents. They then hang out
and indulge until bedtime.
AðventA
(Ath-venta)
Aðventan, or the Advent, is the month lead-
ing up to Christmas. Icelanders celebrate each
Sunday of the Advent (starting on the fourth
Sunday prior to Christmas) by lighting candles
on an Advent Wreath (“Aðventukrans”), which
is usually a four-candle (one for each Sunday of
the Advent) evergreen wreath. The first Sun-
day of Advent marks the time most Icelanders
start decorating for the holidays and preparing
in general.
AðventukrAns
(Ath-ventou-kraans)
See: Aðventa.
Aðventuljós
(Ath-ventou-lyows)
Aðventuljós, or Advent light, is a decorative ob-
ject somewhat unique to Iceland. This seven-
armed electric candlestick is found in at least
one window of almost every Icelandic home
throughout the holiday season. See our Xmas
guide for more info.
AnnAr í jólum
(Aann-arr ee yo!-luwm)
December 26th, the second day of Christmas,
is the designated party day of the holiday sea-
son (New Year’s notwithstanding). The day it-
self usually entails heavy lounging and attend-
ing a family Christmas party or two, but the
evening has most of the action, with bars and
clubs opening for business around midnight.
Revellers like to go out at that time, decked in
their fancy holiday attire and re-connecting
with friends and acquaintances that they
haven’t seen for all of three days.
ÁrAmót
(our-a-mowt)
See: Gamlársdagur/Gamlárskvöld.
ÁrAmótAAnnÁll
(our-a-mowt-a-annoudl)
Icelanders are fond of watching television on
New Year’s Eve, with most of the day’s pro-
gramming dedicated to detailing the fast fad-
ing year’s events. Second to the Áramótaskaup
in popularity is the Áramótaannáll on RÚV, a
collage of the year’s TV news stories with com-
mentary from the news team. An international
version and a local one run back to back. Check
newspapers’ TV listings for more info.
ÁrAmótAskAupIð
(our-a-mowt-a-skoj-pith)
Gathering around the TV on New Year’s Eve
to watch the Áramótaskaup comedy special on
RÚV is an old and honoured Icelandic tradi-
tion—in fact the streets fall completely silent
during its broadcast time of 22:30-23:30. The
show itself is a comedy revue featuring many
of Iceland’s best-loved actors that parodies the
year’s events in sketches and song. The qual-
ity differs from year to year, but Icelanders love
even the especially bad ones (because then
they can complain to each other about how
much it sucked). It is not subtitled, so the fun
is likely lost on non-Icelandic speakers. It’s
worth checking out, though, you can always
make fun of Icelandic TV’s low production
standards.
AttIre
Icelanders like to dress smart and snazzy over
the holidays. Formal attire is usually expected
in the parties of the 24th and 25th, on other
days go for neat casual outfits.
ChrIstmAs musIC
Iceland doesn’t have a lot of original Xmas
songs, although there are a few to be found.
Mostly the tunes meant to get you into the
holiday spirit are translations of international
Xmas ones (some of them don’t have anything
whatsoever to do with Xmas), so the stuff blar-
ing from the radio in the knick-knack shop
should sound familiar. There are some popu-
lar local songs, however, the most infamous
one being Sniglabandið’s Jólahjól (“Christmas
bike”).
ChrIstmAs stoCkIngs
See also: Jólasveinar, Santa Claus
The Christmas stockings tradition is cel-
ebrated in Iceland, although it differs greatly
from what you might be used to. As explained
elsewhere, there are thirteen Yuletide lads in
Iceland, and each one comes down from the
mountains on a designated day before Christ-
mas bearing gifts for children to be placed in
their shoe or stocking left by an open window.
It should be noted that well-behaved children
receive something of value, whereas ill be-
haved children usually receive a rotten potato.
CommerCe
See also: Þorláksmessa
Like elsewhere, Christmas and commerce
have very close ties in Iceland. Stores stay open
until 11 PM on Þorláksmessa, the 23rd of De-
cember, and until noon on the day of Christ-
mas Eve. This is done in a mutual agreement
between late shoppers and greedy shop own-
ers who want to make sure that no króna is left
behind.
dAnCIng
See also: Jólaboð, jólaball, jólatré
Dancing around the Christmas tree is still a
widespread fad at Christmas dances in chil-
dren’s schools around the country, but the
tradition is slowly dying out as a practice in
homes. It involves holding hands around the
tree and walking repeatedly in circles whilst
singing Christmas carols. Hours of fun.
deCorAtIng
See also: Aðventa, Aðventuljós
Icelanders like to decorate their houses a lot
in time for Christmas, with the start of Ad-
vent usually marking the official ‘OK time’
for decking the halls. Decorations are simi-
lar to what may be found in the rest of the
Christmas-celebrating world: pine branches,
light sets, Santa-related effigies and various
knick-knacks and doodads. American style
lighting monstrosities are uncommon, but not
unheard of.
drInkIng
See also: Annar í jólum, Gamlársdagur/Gam-
lárskvöld
Heavy drinking is generally not condoned on
Christmas Eve or Christmas Day—although
indulging in a glass of wine or two isn't
frowned upon—as the days’ festivities are gen-
erally reserved for family activities. The 26th,
31st and New Year’s Day are popular for binge
drinking and partying, however, as are any
weekend days that fall between the two days.
eAtIng out
See also: Christmas buffets, commerce
Icelanders generally don’t like to eat out during
the holiday season. If you are visiting, and you
plan on dining at a restaurant during the holi-
days (see our special Xmas listings for details),
chances are you’ll be dining with some fellow
tourists. However, attending special Xmas
buffets is a popular activity over the advent.
fAmIly
Icelandic Christmas is all about one’s family,
extended and otherwise. Generally speaking,
most Icelanders will be busy spending time
with their families from December 24th un-
til the eve of the 26th, so don’t expect that hot
boy (or girl) you hook up with on the 23rd to be
available for any immediate follow-up sessions
(you should still try, though).
flugeldAr
(flug-oeld-arrrrr)
See also: Gamlársdagur/
Gamlárskvöld
Flugeldar (“fireworks”)
are an essential part of
the Icelandic New Year’s
Eve experience, in fact,
the sale and deployment
of fireworks is only legal
in Iceland between December 28—January
6. Like everything else Icelanders are fond of,
they take their fireworks seriously—most of
those who have witnessed the mass employ-
ment of fireworks at New Year’s will agree that
the act is far beyond over-the-top. But most will
also attest that the display is striking and beau-
tiful. An added bonus is that most of the places
selling them are doing so for charity, or to fund
rescue teams.
Expect small blasts here and there as of
December 27th, culminating in an all-out orgy
of explosions around midnight of New Year’s
Eve.
gAmlÁrsdAgur/gAmlÁrskvöld
(gaaml-ouwrs-daager / kvoeld)
See also: Fireworks, drinking, Áramótaskaup,
Áramótaannáll, Áramótabrenna [Note: Gam-
lársdagur refers to New Year’s Eve’s Day, and
Gamlárskvöld refers to New Year’s Eve itself]
The coming of the New Year is celebrated
pretty heavily in Iceland. Drinks are drunk,
fireworks are lit and vomit is, eventually,
spewed. Although there is no rule, most folks
like to gather for a nice dinner feast with fam-
ily and/or friends at the start of the evening (or
late in the afternoon). They hang out, drink
drinks, play board games and watch the TV
recap of the preceding year. Many head out to
their local New Year’s bonfire, a complete list
of which is published in local newspapers on
the days leading up to the 31st.
After watching the Áramótaskaup comedy
revue and lighting some fireworks, most will
head to a rowdier, less family oriented gather-
ing and stay there ‘til dawn.
A note about the word “áramót”: like many
Icelandic words, it is impressively and descrip-
tively sensible, and it does not have a counter-
part in the English language. Quite literally,
“áramót” translates as “the meeting of years”.
Makes sense, doesn’t it?
hAngIkjöt
(Hownge-kjoet)
See also: Jólamatur
Hangikjöt—literally meaning “hung meat”—
is smoked Icelandic lamb which takes its name
from the old tradition of smoking food in order
to preserve it by hanging it from the rafters
of a smoking shed. Hangikjöt is traditional
Christmas meat, often served with potatoes in
a sweet white sauce and pickled red cabbage.
It’s pretty awesome.
hAmborgArhryggur
(Haam-bouwrger-hreggurrrr)
See also: Dining
A traditional Christmas food eaten on the 24th
at six o'clock. It is pork, usually with a honey
glazing and pineapple, cooked in an oven
for a few hours. This is a pretty heavy meal,
resulting in the number of heart attacks in-
creasing around Xmas when people who re-
ally shouldn’t eat fatty meat gorge themselves
almost to death.
heItt súkkulAðI
(hate sooqou-laethi)
Indulging in a cup of freshly made heitt súk-
kulaði (“hot chocolate”) is an essential part of
the Icelandic holiday experience. The classic
recipe is thus: melt one plate of ‘Suðusúkku-
laði’ (available everywhere one might buy choc-
olate) in a double boiler with 1–2 cups of water.
In a separate container, heat one litre of milk to
the boiling point. Slowly stir melted chocolate
into boiling milk. Enjoy.
jólAbAll
(yo!-la-boll)
See also: Jólaboð
The jólaball, or Christmas dance, is a long-
standing tradition where children are herded
by their parents or schools to hang out, eat cake
and candy and dance around a decorated tree
while singing some classic Christmas tunes.
More often than not, one or more of the Yule
lads will make an appearance and disburse
small gifts of candies.
jólAboð
(yo!-la-boeth)
The Icelandic Xmas party—jólaboð—is tradi-
tionally a family gathering that involves copi-
ous amounts of eating Christmas fare such
as hangikjöt and cookies, drinking coffee
and chocolate, talking about the weather and
engaging in the latest board games (although
Trivial Pursuit is always a classic).
jólAdAgAtAl
(yo!-la-dae-ga-tael)
The jóladagatal (“Christmas calendar”) is used
to count down the days from December 1st
until the 24th and is a must for children of all
ages—some adults like to indulge as well. The
most common variety has a differently shaped
piece of chocolate for each day, although some
of the crappier ones just have dumb, holiday re-
lated pictures. Some families like to craft their
own, wrapping small gifts for each day.
jólAdAgur
(yo!-la-daguer)
See also: Jólaboð
Jóladagur—Christmas Day—is the big day
for family gatherings and Christmas parties.
Many like to sleep in and relax before putting
on formal attire and heading out to a friend’s
house to indulge in some hangikjöt or hot
chocolate. Everything is closed. A very relaxed
day, for most.
jólAglögg
(yo!-la-gludge)
See also: Jólahlaðborð, drinking
A hot beverage consisting of red wine, vodka,
and spices. Often served with raisins. The
word can also just mean a party of friends
around Christmas time who get together un-
der the pretext that they will drink Jólaglögg,
when all they really want to do is drink any-
thing with alcohol in it. You know, because of
the dark.
jólAhlAðborð
(yo!-la-hlaeth-boerth)
See also: Christmas dining, eating out, Hambo-
rgarhryggur
A fairly new tradition in Iceland, connected
to the number of restaurants increasing in
later years. A Jólahlaðborð is a Christmas buf-
fet that people attend in groups, usually co-
workers go together for a night of eating, but
mostly drinking. Many a marriage has been
put to a serious strain after a drunken night
at a Jólahlaðborð. Something about Christmas
brings out the adulterers in some people.
jólAkort
(yo!-la-kowrt)
Many Icelanders choose to parlay greetings to
their friends and loved ones over the holidays
via the mailing of Christmas cards, or jólakort.
They will most often feature a generic Christ-
massy motif and some standard well wishes,
although some use the opportunities to send
along pictures of the family.
jólAkötturInn
(yo!-la-koett-ur-enn)
To avoid, as the saying goes, “going to the
Christmas cat,” children are required to re-
ceive at least one piece of new clothing in time
for Christmas each year. Otherwise, the cat
will eat them.
jólAmAtur
(yo!-la-maw-tuer)
See also: Christmas buffets, rjúpur, kæst ska-
ta, hangikjöt, jólaöl, jólasmákökur
Like in most other places, nourishing oneself
over the holidays is all about indulgence. When
it comes to jólamatur (“Christmas food”): the
richer, sweeter, fattier and saltier, the better.
jólAöl
(yo!-la-oel)
See also: Christmas dining
The ultimate Christmas drink, Jólaöl (or:
“Christmas ale”) is created by mixing an elu-
sive ratio of Malt and Appelsín orange soda. Al-
though you can now buy this drink premixed,
it’s way more fun to mix it yourself, according
to taste. Note that it contains no alcohol. Which
is nice for a change.
jólAsmÁkökur
(yo!-la-smouw-koek-er)
See also: Dining
Jólasmákökur (“Christmas cookies”) are an
essential part of the Icelandic holiday experi-
ence. Most households bake their own cookies
in the weeks leading up to Christmas, making
an average of 3–5 different types. They are
then consumed at Christmas gatherings or
while lounging about with ones new presents.
Some classic types include: Piparkökur (gin-
ger snaps”), Mömmukökur (ginger snap-type
cookies sandwiched around white frosting),
súkkulaðibitakökur (chocolate chip cookies)
and hálfmánar (rhubarb preserves wrapped in
dough), although the varieties are endless.
jólAtré
(yo!-la-tr-yeah!)
See also: Þorláksmessa,
Christmas presents
Icelanders’ Christmas
trees are usually in-
stalled on December
Xmas | Dictionary
2the reykjavík grapevine Xmas special spectacular 2011
Issue 18
The A-Ö of the Icelandic holiday season
The Encyclopaedia of Icelandic
Holidays
by haukur s magnússon Illustrations by Inga maria brynjarsdóttirWith additional reporting from Paul Fontaine, Sveinn Birkir Björnsson, Páll Hilmarsson and Valgerður Þóroddsdóttir