Yesterday was Iceland’s first winter day, according to the traditional calendar. It is a day which rarely causes much celebration; but the meat soup surely helped.
In the old Viking days, there were only two seasons: the warm, bright one and the cold, dark one. That is why Iceland recognises the first day of summer as the first Thursday after the 18th April and the first day of winter as the Saturday between the 21st and 27th October.
The First Day of Summer is a national holiday where people try to get outside and enjoy something summery out in nature – despite the fact that it is often windy, snowing, raining or all three.
The First Day of Winter, on the other hand, usually goes by with little hoo-ha.
In recent years though, there has been a relatively small movement underway to at least do something on the day. An example of this took place yesterday, when meat soup was offered to guests on Reykjavik’s Skolavordustigur shopping street.
The hearty winter soup was accompanied by various other entertainment, activities and promotions from (probably) Iceland’s most consistently active community of shop owners.
The weather was good and people seemed to have a great time, RUV reported. They also got through more soup than at a similar event last year.
There is no doubt that the Nordic winter can be hard; but the frost, the northern lights, the snow and the sun’s unique bronzy glow can also make it enchantingly beautiful.
Happy winter!
Such long summers and winters don’t allow much time for spring and autumn…
I hope this winter won´t be another kreppuvetur!