Kalsoy Island, one of the Faroe Islands
© Swen Stroop/Getty Images Plu
Góða ólavsøku, from the Faroes!
The festival known as Ólavsøka spans several days, but officially July 29 is the big day of merrymaking in 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 on 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
Chittorgarh Fort, India
Mount Tsubakuro near Azumino, Nagano, Japan
The Hickman Bridge at Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Our Lady of the Rocks and Saint George Island in the Bay of Kotor, Perast, Montenegro
Omijima Island in Kita-Nagato Kaigan Quasi-National Park, Japan
The Wave sandstone formation in Coyote Buttes North, Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona
The village of Arrone in Umbria, Italy
Today on Bing
Tiger camouflaged in tall grass, Assam, India
Trillium Lake in Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon
A Bengal tiger in Ranthambore National Park, India
Aerial view of Washington Square Park, New York City
