History of the days #86749
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The story of the days. By Árni Björnsson, ethnographer.
This article discusses the important days of the year and festivals. It traces their history in Iceland from the beginning to the present day, and explains their origins and connection to business practices, religion, and cultural history.
Folklorist Árni Björnsson describes both modern festivals and ancient significant days. He speaks with the same infectious enthusiasm about the Seventeenth or Merchants' Day and the Catholic feast days of the Icelandic saints Þorlák, Jón and Gvend the Good, discusses both the Fisherman's Day in the 20th century and the ancient Geilsadag or the fire-fighting day of the hired hands in the old farming community. The main emphasis is of course on the festivals and significant days that, in the past and in the future, describe the uniqueness of Icelandic society and human life: the first day of summer, Christmas, Þórrin and Góan, cross masses, töðugjóld...
Árni Björnsson's doctoral thesis is both a handbook and a scholarly work. The story of the days is told in 66 independent chapters that can be read individually or together in a row. The book is richly illustrated and the material is very accessible with excerpts, marginal references and a detailed index. Behind the 66 chapters is a special appendix that gives an overview of over seventy animal feasts that are also listed in Icelandic almanacs.
In the celebration of each nation, its history, business life and natural conditions come together. This discussion of significant days in Iceland will therefore also be a kind of exploration of the Icelandic national soul, past and present. The history of the days is a true treasure trove of knowledge for every Icelandic reader, and Árni's agile style makes the text a pure and entertaining read.
This article discusses the important days of the year and festivals. It traces their history in Iceland from the beginning to the present day, and explains their origins and connection to business practices, religion, and cultural history.
Folklorist Árni Björnsson describes both modern festivals and ancient significant days. He speaks with the same infectious enthusiasm about the Seventeenth or Merchants' Day and the Catholic feast days of the Icelandic saints Þorlák, Jón and Gvend the Good, discusses both the Fisherman's Day in the 20th century and the ancient Geilsadag or the fire-fighting day of the hired hands in the old farming community. The main emphasis is of course on the festivals and significant days that, in the past and in the future, describe the uniqueness of Icelandic society and human life: the first day of summer, Christmas, Þórrin and Góan, cross masses, töðugjóld...
Árni Björnsson's doctoral thesis is both a handbook and a scholarly work. The story of the days is told in 66 independent chapters that can be read individually or together in a row. The book is richly illustrated and the material is very accessible with excerpts, marginal references and a detailed index. Behind the 66 chapters is a special appendix that gives an overview of over seventy animal feasts that are also listed in Icelandic almanacs.
In the celebration of each nation, its history, business life and natural conditions come together. This discussion of significant days in Iceland will therefore also be a kind of exploration of the Icelandic national soul, past and present. The history of the days is a true treasure trove of knowledge for every Icelandic reader, and Árni's agile style makes the text a pure and entertaining read.