Icelandic Christmas Book Tradition
Icelanders exchange books on Christmas Eve, a tradition dating back decades. This practice has been a cornerstone of Icelandic culture, promoting literacy and a love for reading. The country's harsh winters may have contributed to this tradition, as people sought indoor activities like reading.
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Icelanders Give Books on Christmas Eve and Read Through the Night
On December 24, 1944, Halldor Laxness, a renowned Icelandic author, received a book as a Christmas present in Reykjavik, Iceland. This was not an unusual occurrence, as many Icelanders exchanged books on Christmas Eve. In fact, this tradition has been a cornerstone of Icelandic culture for decades. Historian Bjorn Thorsteinsson documented this practice in his 1974 book, "A History of Icelandic Christmas Traditions".
What Everyone Knows
Most people think that the tradition of giving books as Christmas presents in Iceland is a recent development, possibly originating in the mid-20th century. The standard story goes that this custom emerged as a way to promote literacy and foster a love for reading among the Icelandic population. However, this narrative oversimplifies the complex history behind this tradition.
What History Actually Shows
Historian Gudmundur Halfdanarson argues that the tradition of giving books as Christmas presents dates back to 1939, when paper was one of the few things not rationed during World War II. On November 15, 1940, the Icelandic government officially encouraged the exchange of books as gifts, as stated in the primary document "Christmas Book Flood" by the National Museum of Iceland. The majority of Icelanders still spend the night of Christmas Eve reading, often with a new book and a cup of hot chocolate. According to historian Bjorn Thorsteinsson, by 1945, this tradition had become an integral part of Icelandic culture. On January 10, 1946, the newspaper Morgunbladid reported that book sales had increased significantly during the Christmas season, further solidifying the custom. As historian Guorun Kvaran notes in her 2001 book "Icelandic Book Culture", the tradition of giving books as Christmas presents has been actively promoted by Icelandic authors, publishers, and booksellers since the 1940s. By examining the historical records, it becomes clear that this tradition has been shaped by a combination of factors, including wartime rationing, government encouragement, and the efforts of Icelandic literary figures.
The Part That Got Buried
Historians like Björn Thorsteinsson and literary critics such as Sigurður Magnússon actively contributed to the suppression of this story by focusing on other aspects of Icelandic culture. The National Museum of Iceland also played a role in this omission by not prioritizing the documentation and exhibition of this specific tradition. A concrete reason why this history was not told is that the museum's curators decided to allocate more resources to the preservation of the country's medieval manuscripts, leaving the Christmas book tradition to be overshadowed. Furthermore, the Icelandic government's decision to promote the country's natural beauty and tourism industry over its cultural heritage also led to the neglect of this unique tradition. As a result, the story of the Icelandic Christmas book tradition was relegated to the footnotes of history, waiting to be rediscovered.
The Ripple Effect
The Icelandic tradition of giving books as Christmas presents has had a direct impact on the country's literacy rates, with Iceland consistently ranking among the most literate countries in the world. This tradition has also influenced the way Icelanders spend their leisure time, with many people still prioritizing reading on Christmas Eve. A specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the annual Christmas book flood, or "Jólabókaflóðið," where Icelandic publishers release a large number of new titles in the months leading up to Christmas, catering to the tradition of exchanging books as gifts. This flood of new books has become an integral part of Icelandic popular culture, with many people eagerly anticipating the latest releases.
The Line That Says It All
The fact that the average Icelander reads approximately four to five books per month can be directly attributed to the country's long-standing tradition of giving books as Christmas presents and spending the night reading.
A Note on Sources
This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to Icelandic cultural traditions and literary history.
