A lively and informative book that provides a fascinating insight into Iceland culture and daily life, past and present. The traditions associated with specific days of the year for scholars and laymen alike. The characteristics of a nation are not least expressed in its festivals and holidays. Nature, folklore, religious beliefs, socio-economic factors and history combine to create a nation's individual customs and celebrations, which mark the passing of seasons and years. Iceland's calendar of high days and holidays differs in many ways from those of neighbouring countries, reflecting the Icelanders' tenacious adherence to age-old customs which date back to the Middle Ages, and even into pagan pre-history. Conditions of life and work, in an often hostile and always unpredictable natural environment, have also made their mark upon the Icelanders' way of celebrating: for example, the first day of summer, Yuletide, the old months of Thorri and Góa, Crouchmasses and Harvest Homes. Yet, while Icelandic customs and traditions give clear expression to unique aspects of the national character and experience, they also reveal deeply-rooted links with the cultural traditions of mainland Europe, and especially with Britain and the Nordic world. A lively and informative book that provides a fascinating insight into Iceland culture and daily life, past and present. The English version, High Days and Holidays (published in 1995), is an abridged edition of the Icelandic Saga daganna (publ. 1993), for which author Árni Björnsson was awarded a doctorate at the University of Iceland in December 1994. Árni Björnsson is director of the ethnological department of the National Museum of Iceland and a well-known authority on Icelandic folklore and traditions. Published: 1995 Softcover with 120 pages.
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