Arrr, Billy, 'ave you ever been to sea?
So I awoke this morning at ten to what sounded like about 50 Nicelandic trolls passing wind, but which was actually a chorus of ship's fog horns signaling the start of the Festival of the Sea that's on this weekend.
Yes it's true: festival season is upon us again, for as regular readers will know, Icelanders leave no opportunity unseized to hold a festival. There's the Reykjavík Arts Festival, Festival of the Sea, National Day Festival, Labour Day Open-Air Festival[s], Gay Pride Festival, Reykavík Culture Night, Reykjavík Jazz Festival ... to say nothing of smaller, local festivals held constantly throughout the land. And that's just in the summer.
The Festival of the Sea used to be just the unassuming Sjómannadagur [Seafarer's Day], which was always the first Sunday in June. On this day, Iceland's seamen and fishermen were honoured for their massive contribution to the welfare of this country. They had the day off, all the ships were in, and the festivities centered around the harbour, where they had speeches, games, live music, dancing and suchlike. But - a few years ago someone decided that Sjómannadagur Sunday would lend itself extremely well to a two-day festival, [at least in Reykjavík] and so the Festival of the Sea was born.
I didn't go to any of it today, I must admit. I had other things to do, and to be perfectly honest, I find all these festivals a bit exhausting at times. All that pressure to get out to see and do things! - Anyway, it wasn't all fun and games today - the Marine Research Institute presented a new report on the condition of the cod stock, and strongly recommends severe cutbaks in fisheries quotas. Not great news for the fishing vessel operators, or the Icelandic economy. And yet, how absolutely essential to have a fisheries management system operating. We can only hope it's working.
In other monumental news: A smoking ban in all bars and restaurants took effect yesterday so no more smelling like an ashtray after spending the night in a pub. It's going to be great. Completely bizarre, but great.
MEANWHILE WE HAVE A BIT LESS WIND TODAY
And it's reasonably warm, or around 13°C this afternoon, currently down to 10. Ran out to the DVD rental place just now to return The Prestige [thoroughly enjoyed it!] and the heavy, low-lying clouds over the sea and the mountains in the distance and the hazy-blue-gray of everything was just lovely. Particularly because the wind seemed to have died down right at that point, just for me. Sunrise today at 03.21, sunset at 23.33.
PS I'm taking off again for a few days to play hermit. See you anon!
Yes it's true: festival season is upon us again, for as regular readers will know, Icelanders leave no opportunity unseized to hold a festival. There's the Reykjavík Arts Festival, Festival of the Sea, National Day Festival, Labour Day Open-Air Festival[s], Gay Pride Festival, Reykavík Culture Night, Reykjavík Jazz Festival ... to say nothing of smaller, local festivals held constantly throughout the land. And that's just in the summer.
The Festival of the Sea used to be just the unassuming Sjómannadagur [Seafarer's Day], which was always the first Sunday in June. On this day, Iceland's seamen and fishermen were honoured for their massive contribution to the welfare of this country. They had the day off, all the ships were in, and the festivities centered around the harbour, where they had speeches, games, live music, dancing and suchlike. But - a few years ago someone decided that Sjómannadagur Sunday would lend itself extremely well to a two-day festival, [at least in Reykjavík] and so the Festival of the Sea was born.
I didn't go to any of it today, I must admit. I had other things to do, and to be perfectly honest, I find all these festivals a bit exhausting at times. All that pressure to get out to see and do things! - Anyway, it wasn't all fun and games today - the Marine Research Institute presented a new report on the condition of the cod stock, and strongly recommends severe cutbaks in fisheries quotas. Not great news for the fishing vessel operators, or the Icelandic economy. And yet, how absolutely essential to have a fisheries management system operating. We can only hope it's working.
In other monumental news: A smoking ban in all bars and restaurants took effect yesterday so no more smelling like an ashtray after spending the night in a pub. It's going to be great. Completely bizarre, but great.
MEANWHILE WE HAVE A BIT LESS WIND TODAY
And it's reasonably warm, or around 13°C this afternoon, currently down to 10. Ran out to the DVD rental place just now to return The Prestige [thoroughly enjoyed it!] and the heavy, low-lying clouds over the sea and the mountains in the distance and the hazy-blue-gray of everything was just lovely. Particularly because the wind seemed to have died down right at that point, just for me. Sunrise today at 03.21, sunset at 23.33.
PS I'm taking off again for a few days to play hermit. See you anon!
Labels: Social concerns, Traditions
posted by Alda at 1:49 PM
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