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Click on the picture to watch an audio slideshow of how traditional Icelandic pancakes are made. They are different from what people call pancakes in many parts of the world; small, round, thin and sweet and are either rolled up with sugar or wrapped up in squares filled with jam—often blueberry—and whipped cream.
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Located just 40 minutes by car and six minutes from Keflavík International Airport, Sandgerdi (“Sandy Hedge”) is a growing town of 1,700 with a storied history and loads to see. Read this special promotion about the hidden secrets of one of Iceland's most charming seaside villages.
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Today is the last day before Christmas, known as Thorláksmessa (“The Mass of St. Thorlákur,” Iceland’s patron saint). The day is celebrated by eating putrefied skate and buying the last Christmas presents.
The seafood restaurant Saegreifinn down at Reykjavík harbor. Photo by Páll Stefánsson.
Thorláksmessa is celebrated in the memory of Thorlákur “the Holy” Thórhallsson, who was Bishop at Skálholt in Iceland in the 12th century. He died December 23, 1193, which became a holiday in 1199. In 1985 Pope John Paul II appointed Thorlákur “the Holy” as the patron saint of Iceland.
The Catholic Church is the third largest religious community in Iceland and nine Catholic churches offer services in various parts of the country.
The tradition of eating putrefied skate originates in the West Fjords, but is now common in all parts of the country. The fish delicacy is usually served boiled with potatoes, turnips and hamsatólg, melted sheep fat.
People who want to avoid bringing the stench of skate to their homes—it smells strongly of ammonia—order the fish at restaurants instead. Serving skate on December 23 is becoming increasingly popular at restaurants in Iceland.
Icelanders are known to spend considerable amounts of money on December 23, which is traditionally the last day of shopping before Christmas. To make sure everybody finishes their shopping in time for Christmas, stores remain open until at least 11 pm.
People who have finished their shopping often go downtown on the evening of Thorláksmessa to meet up with friends, admire Christmas decorations or go to cafés to have a cup of hot chocolate and exchange Christmas greetings.
Click here to read more about the tradition of eating putrefied skate.
An exhibition by Ingibjörg Helga Ágústsdóttir entitled “Mál er að mæla” (“It’s time to speak”) is currently running at the Mosfellsbær Art Gallery. It features carvings in 3D inspired by Icelandic folk stories, many of which are mobile.
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The Reykjavík Metropolitan Police was called out on Wednesday due to a report on a gunman at large in the capital region. The police reacted swiftly as the case was considered to be very serious. However, shortly afterwards it turned out that the report was based on a misunderstanding.
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The Icelandic national team in women’s basketball beat Norway 82-55 in its first national game in three years at the Nordic Championship in Oslo yesterday. Last weekend, the Nordic Championship for young basketball players concluded in Solna, Sweden.
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Alþingi, the Icelandic parliament, agreed in a vote yesterday, with 35 in favor and 15 against, to organize an advisory national referendum on the Constitutional Council’s proposal for a new constitution no later than October 20, 2012.
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The current issue of the quarterly magazine Iceland Review includes interviews with fashion photographer Saga Sig and conceptual artist Rúrí. Also, we take you to Grímsstaðir á Fjöllum, that desolate land coveted by a Chinese tycoon, and also explore Icelandic archeological remains. We discuss the Icelandic Church, the flourishing gaming industry, debate the future of Iceland’s energy resources and interview the president of the Icelandic National League of North America. Subscribe now and receive a free photo book by IR’s editor Páll Stefánsson of the Eyjafjallajökull eruptions. Click here to subscribe to the magazine and here to buy a gift subscription.
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REVIEWS
Tilbury’s debut album Exorcise feels kind of like getting drunk in the sun and I recommend you break in the summer with their juicy single “Tenderloin”.
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Since 1919, the Icelandic National League of North America has greatly contributed to North American cultural life while celebrating its members’ heritage. Its current president and Honorary Consul of Toronto, Gail Einarson-McCleery, told Ásta Andrésdóttir about the life of the 19th-century immigrants and the importance of connecting with one’s roots.
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The large-scale collaborative “(I)ndependent People” is part of the ongoing Reykjavík Arts Festival, May 18 to June 3, and takes place at a cluster of museums, galleries, artist-run spaces and institutions in the capital area. Focusing on visual art from the Nordic region, “(I)ndependent People” asks if and how collaboration can operate in negotiation between contesting ideas and desires, and yet allow for unplanned action.
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