Kalsoy Island, part of the Faroe Islands
© Swen Stroop/Getty Images Plu
Góða ólavsøku!
The festival known as Ólavsøka spans several days, but officially July 29 is the big day of merrymaking on the Faroe Islands. What exactly are the Faroese people celebrating? Technically, they’re observing the death of Saint Olaf. The Norwegian King Olaf II is said to have died in battle on this day in 1030. A century later, he was sainted by the Catholic church.
Today, the Faroes are an autonomous territory of Denmark, but they have centuries-old ties to Norway, and the Norwegian influence of Faroese culture remains so strong, they celebrate King Olaf II with Ólavsøka—literally translated to ‘Olaf’s wake.’ Clear as the skies over the Faroes, right? The celebration includes a rowing competition, traditional Faroese chain dancing, and music everywhere.
Related Images
Low-lying fog along the coast, Newfoundland and Labrador
Glastonbury Tor and St Michael's Tower in England for the start of the Glastonbury Festival
Sun Voyager sculpture by Jón Gunnar Árnason in Reykjavik, Iceland
Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state
Boathouse on Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park, Alberta
Winter at the Isis Temple in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Peggy's Cove Lighthouse at dusk, Nova Scotia
Aerial of the Amazon River Basin near Manaus, Brazil
Bing Today Images
