Today is National Day, Iceland's independence day! Iceland gained independence from Denmark in 1944 and this is celebrated every June 17. We weren't sure how National Day is celebrated, but we were told that there would be a parade in Hofdi (the park with the trees by our house) that afternoon. Everyone met by the entrance to Hofdi, where we felt a little awkward being the only foreigners there but luckily ran into someone we knew. Everyone then processed to the open green space in the middle of the woods and took a seat on the ground; a podium and microphone were placed in the middle.
Then there were speeches, which were all in Icelandic so I couldn't understand a thing, but as far as I could tell, the priest opened ceremonies and said a quick blessing. Then I think someone read some history from a book. Next a woman in a gorgeous dress stood up and recited a poem. I later learned that she is dressed as the Woman of the Mountains, a personification of Iceland.
Finally, it was time to play games! I was too much of a wimp to participate in games when I couldn't understand the instructions, but Tony and Elsemarie played and it was great fun to watch! The first game involved everyone finding a partner and lining up two by two. A single person stood at the front of the line and yelled something along the lines of "one, two, three, go!" and the two people at the back of the line split up and ran forward along opposite sides. The goal was for the two people to reach each other again before the one person at the top of the column could tag them and take someone's place.
Next came the most epic relay race I have ever seen:
1. The first person runs to the opposite side of the field, runs around a pole three times, and runs back.
2. The second person runs to the opposite side of the field, finds a goose egg that has been placed in tall grass, and runs back.
3. Two people run across the field and back holding a ball between them with no hands.
4. Two people do a three-legged run across and back
5. The last person runs to the opposite side, hammers a nail, and runs back.
Finally, a form of duck duck goose was played. It was really neat to see the town get together to play games! I haven't really seen anything like it in the States.
Then there were speeches, which were all in Icelandic so I couldn't understand a thing, but as far as I could tell, the priest opened ceremonies and said a quick blessing. Then I think someone read some history from a book. Next a woman in a gorgeous dress stood up and recited a poem. I later learned that she is dressed as the Woman of the Mountains, a personification of Iceland.
Next came the most epic relay race I have ever seen:
1. The first person runs to the opposite side of the field, runs around a pole three times, and runs back.
2. The second person runs to the opposite side of the field, finds a goose egg that has been placed in tall grass, and runs back.
3. Two people run across the field and back holding a ball between them with no hands.
4. Two people do a three-legged run across and back
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| Elsemarie and her new best friend |
Finally, a form of duck duck goose was played. It was really neat to see the town get together to play games! I haven't really seen anything like it in the States.
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