Marking the Close of Christmas Celebrations
In the frosty heart of Iceland, January 6th, colloquially known as Þrettándinn or the Twelfth Night, draws the lid on the ebullient Yule celebration, a season brimming with mystical entities and enchanting customs. This night, famed in the English-speaking world as the Twelfth Night, is commemorated with roaring bonfires and dazzling fireworks, and this year was no exception.
In the western district of Reykjavík, a throng of locals and tourists flocked to the spirited bonfire at Ægissíða to bid a fond farewell to another year of yuletide revelry. Sveinn Bjarki, a charismatic teacher and choir leader, recounted the blaze as outstanding in size.
The revelry kicked off at Melaskóli elementary school at 6 PM, where Sveinn led a spirited singing troupe on a torch-lit procession to Ægissíða, accompanied by the local constabulary. Upon arrival, the jovial Icelandic Yule lads joined the festivities, and the torches were cast onto the pyre.
The night was serene yet bitingly cold
Sveinn claimed that initial attendance was sparse, but a late surge of passionate partiers swelled the crowd to a substantial size.
Joie de vivre echoed among the crowd, and many revelers indulged in delicious waffles to savor the final day of the festive season. mbl.is/Árni Sæberg
Sveinn expressed his elation, musing that the wait between Yule celebrations had been lengthy, and the fanfare of attendees had exceeded expectations. The weather, though frigid, had contributed to the turnout.
The bonfire in the western part of Reykjavík was one of two main events, with the other taking place in the quaint village of Gufunes, where renowned Icelandic musician Friðrik Dór Jónsson serenaded the gathering.
Across the breathtaking landscape of Iceland, additional bonfires blazed in Akranes, Mosfellsbær, and Djúpivogur, among other locales, continuing the ancient custom of welcoming the dawning of longer days and a return to daily life.
Tourists and locals gathered at the bonfire in Ægissíða, braving the biting cold of the Twelfth Night, eager to participate in the ancient tradition. Sveinn, the charismatic teacher, expressed his joy at the significant turnout, attributing it to the festive weather. On this very night, Friðrik Dór Joónsson serenaded the crowd in Gufunes, another celebrated event embracing the lifestyle of outdoor-living, while home-and-garden fires also lit up various landscapes across Iceland.
