Marking the Closing of Christmas Celebrations
Iceland Bid Farewell to Christmas with Bonfires on Twelfth Night
January 6th, known in Iceland as Þrettándinn and more famously as Twelfth Night in English-speaking regions, marks the official end of the Christmas season. This tradition, steeped in folklore, saw Icelandic communities gather for bonfires and fireworks last night, continuing a longstanding celebration.
In the western part of Reykjavík, a large crowd convened at the Ægissíða bonfire to bid their final farewells to the Christmas season. Sveinn Bjarki, a teacher, led a group in song, commenting on the unusually large blaze. The festivities commenced at the Melaskóli elementary school at 6 PM, where Sveinn directed a mass singing group. Accompanied by the police, they marched with torches towards Ægissíða, where the Icelandic Yule Lads met with the group, and the torches were set ablaze at the stake.
The event was open to all, with a number of tourists joining Icelanders in the celebrations. Sveinn noted that a last-minute surge of activity secured a substantial group. The attendees were greeted with traditional waffles and a fireworks display by the local sports club, KR.
The festivities in the western part of Reykjavík were hosted by the parents' association of the elementary schools in the area. Similarly, the night before, Friðrik Doór Jónson performed for guests at the Gufunes bonfire, one of two held across the city.
Though bonfires are not central to the Twelfth Night celebration, they are a chosen aspect of broader Icelandic winter celebrations. While mostly associated with feasting and gatherings, the night marks the culmination of the visits from the Yule Lads, a group of mischievous spirits that feature prominently in Icelandic folklore.
After Twelfth Night, Iceland transitions into other winter festivals, such as Þorri, which recognizes the midpoint of winter. As the Yule season draws to a close, Icelandic communities continue their longstanding tradition of coming together to celebrate, marking a significant cultural event in the country's calendar.
The weather was crisp and cold as the crowd gathered at the Ægissíða bonfire, experiencing an outdoor-living tradition that marked the end of the Christmas season. As Sveinn Bjarki led the group in song, the celebration brought a touch of home-and-garden warmth to the winter night.
