Reykjavík Grapevine - 03.02.2017, Síða 62

Pictured here is the oldest building
of Landspítalinn, The National Uni-
versity Hospital of Iceland, located
by Hringbraut in 101 Reykjavík. The
first picture dates back to 1954, and
the second image was taken right
here and now in 2017. Built in in
the late 1920s, this was the first
building of the complex that today
accommodates the hospital—in
fact, it stood alone until the 1960s.
Although this historic building will
most probably remain, Iceland’s
new coalition government plans to
build a new hospital on the prem-
ises by 2023.
Landsspítalinn
Words
JÓN TRAUSTI SIGURÐARSON
Photos
1. REYKJAVIK MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY
2. ART BICNICK
The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 02 — 2017
60
REYKJAVÍK OF YORE
Iceland is a country full of won-
derful and often quirky tradi-
tions. In December, the Yule Lads
come down from the mountains
to steal various household objects
and leftover scraps. In January,
the elves, or huldufólk (literally,
“hidden people”) come out to
dance and party on Þrettándinn.
And in February, there is the most
delicious holiday of all: Bolluda-
gur, otherwise known as Bun Day.
Bolludagur is celebrated on
the Monday before Ash Wednes-
day. On the morning of Bolluda-
gur, children go around smack-
ing their parents’ bums with a
colourful wands or paddles while
saying “bolla, bolla, bolla!”, which
means “bun, bun bun!” They are
rewarded with cream puffs—one
for each spanking. It seems a bit
peculiar, but it’s great fun never-
theless.
Bolludagur originated in Den-
mark, where it is called Fastelavn.
Fastelavn is a less bun-specific
holiday, but they do eat a similar
cream puff-esque pastry called
Fastelavnsbolle. The tradition
is thought to have been brought
over to Iceland some time in the
19th century as a religious festiv-
ity, but over time, it has morphed
into the spritely holiday we know
and love today.
The buns are made with fluffy
choux pastry and fi l led with
sweet cream and jam, then dust-
ed with powdered sugar or coated
in chocolate. It is estimated that
over one million cream buns will
be produced in Iceland in celebra-
tion of Bolludagur. That’s three
buns for every Icelander!
Every Single Word in Icelandic (http://
everysingleword.is) is a pictographic
exploration of the Icelandic language. I
find an interesting compound word, then
deconstruct and illustrate it as icons. The
goal is to express how Icelandic can be
deadpan literal and unexpectedly poetic
at the same time.
Bolla! Bolla! Bolla!
WORDS OF INTEREST
Words & Art EUNSAN HUH
Book online:
elding.is elding@elding.is +(354) 519 5000
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