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Dec 20, 20246 min read
The Little Red Christmas Tree
By Mekkin S. Perkins Editor's Note: Mekkin Sveinsson/Perkins (IR# I652101) worked as a translator, language teacher and later wrote her...


Dec 7, 20244 min read
A Bonfire and Elf Dances in 1875
Celebrating the end of Christmas season with bonfires and elves dancing.


Jun 8, 20245 min read
My Icelandic Summers
by Veronica Li The Icelandic Roots Writers Group wrote about summer memories for their April assignment. I like to think of Iceland as my...


May 25, 20243 min read
Interesting Icelander for May - Gunnar Gunnarsson
By Sunna Olafson Furstenau Gunnar Gunnarsson (1889-1975 and IR Database I160778) is an Icelandic writer of over 20 novels and many other...


Mar 27, 20242 min read
Easter in Iceland
By Brian Borgford For those who strictly observe the Christian religions, Easter is a commemoration of the death and resurrection of...


Dec 23, 202315 min read
The Twelve Thousand Vínartertas of Christmas
By Rob Olason Over the previous twelve days before Christmas in 2023, a conversation exploded over a topic every Western Icelander has a...

Dec 23, 20232 min read
A Special Christmas Tradition in Iceland
By Shaune Jonasson Jól, or Christmas, is a time for gathering with family and friends. As much as we wish for these gatherings, they...


Dec 23, 20234 min read
The Deacon of Myrká on Christmas Eve
This ghost story or folktale about The Deacon of Myrká is well known though we do not know the original author. This story takes place in...


Dec 15, 20232 min read
Wanna Make a Vínarterta?
By Rob Olason "The Twelve Vínartertas Before Christmas" postings on the Icelandic Roots Facebook page during December 2023, were a way to...


Nov 24, 20232 min read
The Fourth Annual Icelandic Roots Jólabókaflóð (Book Flood)
Iceland is one of the most literate countries in the world and has a long literary history going back to the Icelandic Sagas. The love of...


Oct 15, 20236 min read
Unique Icelandic Holidays
By Sharron Arksey Over the last decade, Icelandic Roots members have learned about the lesser-known holidays celebrated in Iceland...


Aug 6, 20235 min read
The Best Day of the Year
Íslendingadagurinn - BEST DAY OF THE YEAR By Doreen Borgfjord McFarlane Every year, visitors, dignitaries, and volunteers from across...


Jan 8, 20234 min read
Iceland's January Holidays
According to the old Norse calendar, the year is made up of Winter and Summer. January is the halfway point of winter, and several...


Dec 25, 20225 min read
Sharing Conversation About Christmas Traditions
-By Beth Finnson The highlight of Samtal Hour on December 19th was Icelandic Christmas traditions here in North America. That said, the...


Dec 11, 20227 min read
My Saga with Saint Thorlák
Submitted By Aimée O’Connell, Guest Author It was one of those mornings that homeschooling families know very well: the kids were...


Dec 11, 20222 min read
Turkeys and a Christmas Cat
by Sharron Arksey A husband watched his young wife prepare the turkey. “Why do you always cut it in half before putting it in the...


Nov 26, 20222 min read
Christmas at Árbær Open-Air Museum (Árbæjarsafn)
Located just south and east of Reykjavík city center, along Route 1 (the Ring Road), and east of the River Elliðaá, lies the Árbær...


Nov 26, 20223 min read
What the Yule Boys Have Brought Me
by Gay Strandemo Author Heidi Herman and I once again team up at Samtal Hour to discuss the Icelandic Yule Boys - Jólasveinar. To join us...


Nov 26, 202225 min read
Our Third Annual Book Flood - Jólabókaflóð
Tis’ the season for Jólabókaflóðið or Christmas Book Flood. Iceland is one of the most literate countries in the world and has a long...


Aug 12, 20222 min read
Menningarnótt 2022
Reykjavík’s anniversary has been celebrated on August 18th since 1786 when the Danish King lifted the Trade Monopoly on Iceland and...
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