Last week many places around the world celebrated carnival week with a wide variety of traditions. I enjoyed reading everyone’s recaps about the events going on in their countries, all those colorful festivals, pancakes and parties looked like so much fun. Here in Iceland we celebrated carnival week with three days heavily themed around food.
Bolludagur
Bolludagur (translation:Bun Day) is celebrated on the Monday before Lent begins. Dating back to the nineteenth century Bolludagur comes from Danish and Norwegian bakers who were settled here.
Bolludagur begins with the children waking up their parents with loud screams and spankings. The kids are suppose to shout “Bolla, Bolla, Bolla” (translation, bun, bun bun) and for every spank they get in they are suppose to be allowed to eat one bun. After questioning this violent tradition to H I learned that children aren’t really beating on their parents but they still get to eat all the buns their little hearts desire.
Icelanders are encouraged to eat as many buns as possible throughout the day and they are not kidding about this. At our office there was dozen of boxes filled with the delicious buns, it seemed to be a never ending supply! I enjoyed a traditional bun which is a light pastry filled with cream and jam and topped with chocolate. They are delicious and I am looking forward to Bolludagur next year, I will be sure to wear stretchy pants!
Sprengidagur
Tuesday is known as Sprengidagur (Bursting Day) where again Icelanders are encouraged to “eat until you burst.” Salted meat and bean stew is served in many homes and restaurants on this day and it is the last day to eat meat before fasting. I myself did not rush to eat my weight in the meat and bean stew but just about everyone around me had their share of what I think looks like a very unappetizing meal.
source
After reading a news article last week it seems that people took the day literally last year. Apparently IEKA in Iceland had to cancel their Sprengidagur deal because so many people last year made themselves sick eating to much of the stew in the stores cafeteria. The fact that it was such a problem they had to cancel the deal is both humorous and concerning. Who can eat that much stew that they make themselves sick!? Guess they wanted to be sure to get their meat in before fasting began.
Öskudagur
Iceland’s version of Halloween is Öskudagur (Ash Wednesday) and I will say it seemed a bit strange to see so many people dressed in costumes in March. Children dress up and go to shops and companies where they must sing in order to get candy. I think the idea of having them sing is great and I loved all the videos everyone was posting of children signing for their treats. Sadly no children visited our offices so I didn’t get to fully experience the holiday. Next year I am going to join the kids and go around singing for free candy!
Now that carnival week is over I am looking forward to Easter break. I have never had days off from work for Easter so I can’t wait for the adult version of spring break!
Question of the Day?
How is carnival week celebrated in your country?
