Iceland

= ﻿ = Image Source: Iceland Flag. (2010). World Atlas: Flags of the World. Retrieved October 21, 2010, from @http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/flags/countrys/europe/iceland.htm

= __ICELAND __ =

Christmas Traditions
The celebration of Christmas in Iceland is a highly anticipated activity, with festivities beginning December 24 and ending January 6. The holiday customs in Iceland are a combination of Christian beliefs and winter solstice observations, which were celebrated prior to the integration of Christianity in Northern Europe. As a result, Icelanders enjoy many traditions familiar to western countries, with incorporated rituals unique to their cultural past.

Image Source: Advent and Christmas. (2010). Reykjavik-The Official Tourism Website of the Reykjavik Region. Retrieved October 24, 2010, from @http://visitreykjavik.is/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-15/30_read-486

Source
Christmas in Iceland With such a rich blend of Christian customs and winter solstice celebrations, this United States Embassy source examines the history of Christmas in Iceland. The significant detail to decorations and preparations for the Christmas season, such as Christmas trees, advent lights, and the sending of holiday greetings is explored in detail. The traditional Christmas meals of ham, smoked lamb, and ptarmigan, a traditional food, are discussed, and the thirteen Santas who visit the children are described. Due to Christmas Eve being the prominent day of celebrations of the holiday season, the religious mass and family gatherings are given much attention and explanation.

Food
Image Source: Braised Ptarmigan. (1999). Waitrose. Retrieved October 17, 2010, from @http://www.waitrose.com/recipe/Braised_Ptarmigan.aspx

Recipe for Braised Ptarmigan This website provides a recipe for the traditional Christmas meal in Iceland, a bird native to the region known as Ptarmigan. This meal is an essential element of the holiday celebration and is the focal point of the family gatherings which usually take place following the Christmas mass.

References  Embassy of Iceland. Christmas in Iceland. (2009). Retrieved October 17, 2010, from @http://www.iceland.org/us/the-embassy/curiosities/nr/757

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