Quantcast

Iceland celebrates Christmas with book-giving tradition

Ryanair scraps three Vienna routes, demands lower taxes and fees
US orders Delta and Aeromexico to dissolve their partnership over fairness concerns in Mexico
Southwest Airlines adds Sonoma County in California expansion - The Points Guy
Routes & Networks Latest: Rolling Daily Updates (W/C Sept. 8, 2025)
Delta Sees Record Premium Seats in '26, Main Cabin Flat or Down
Tycoon unveils £25 billion rival Heathrow expansion plan
Boeing and Airbus ground green plane projects
50 New Routes Launching In September 2025
Proposals for commercial planes to operate with one pilot shelved after critical EU report
Air Travel Fatalities Up 300% in 2024, According to Shocking Global Report
Aviation sector faces steeper losses in FY26; passenger growth slows amid headwinds: ICRA - The Times of India
Boeing Halts Strike Talks Amid $36 Billion Deal & Union Dispute
FAA’s Broader Runway Safety Push Builds on EMAS Legacy
Ryanair CEO says aviation sustainability targets are 'dying a death'
US FAA funds system to prevent accidents involving runaway airplanes
Exclusive: Korean Air makes airline's biggest-ever Boeing jet order amid Trump-Lee summit
Boeing Stock Jumps on Massive Korean Air Order
2025 Air Canada flight attendants strike - Wikipedia
FAA EMAS: Proven Safety Wins Since 1996
Air Canada flight attendants try to build on US gains on unpaid work
Cathay Pacific warns of declining fares and cargo uncertainty, shares fall
Clear intentions, cloudy path: aviation's ongoing ESG challenge
Turkish Airlines is preparing binding offer for Spain's Air Europa, executive says
Air Canada flight attendants approve strike mandate
US criticizes use of AI to personalize airline ticket prices, would investigate
Ethiopian Airlines' annual revenue rises as it draws more passengers, adds routes
Major strike action to hit 12 Spanish airports that have Ryanair flights
JetBlue, United partnership gets go-ahead from U.S. Transportation Department
United-JetBlue partnership gets US DOT approval
The aviation industry just got exactly what it wanted from Trump's EU deal
Iceland celebrates Christmas with book-giving tradition
Policy
Webp 769nkjeyr0keuv9zud3qineffzj2
Bogi Nils Bogason, President & CEO of Icelandair Group | Icelandair

Iceland, a nation renowned for its literary culture, prints more books per capita than any other country. Over half of Icelanders read more than eight books annually. This affinity for reading is reflected in one of the country's cherished Christmas traditions, Jólabókaflóð, or the "Christmas flood of books." The tradition starts with the release of a book catalogue in mid-November and culminates on Christmas Eve when people exchange and read new books.

The origins of Jólabókaflóð date back to World War II when paper was one of the few non-rationed commodities. Books became affordable gifts during this period. Even after the war ended and other luxuries returned, this tradition continued and remains integral to Icelandic Christmas celebrations.

The annual event begins with the distribution of Bókatíðindi, a free catalogue from Iceland’s Publisher’s Association delivered to every home in Iceland. Families select books for their loved ones and spend Christmas Eve exchanging and reading them.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Iceland's rich literary history includes medieval literature known as the Icelandic Sagas. These narratives cover events from around 1000 AD and were written down between 1190-1320. They depict stories about kings, explorers, families, bishops, and saints rather than focusing on fantastical creatures.

Halldór Laxness is another significant figure in Icelandic literature. He is the only Icelander to have won the Nobel Prize for Literature. His notable works include "Salka Valka," "Independent People," and "The Fish Can Sing." Laxness' former home has been converted into a museum near Reykjavík.

In contemporary times, Yrsa Sigurðardóttir has gained recognition in Nordic Noir fiction with her crime novels featuring characters like attorney Thóra Gudmundsdóttir and detective Huldar alongside child psychologist Freyja.

Alda Sigmundsdóttir writes about various aspects of Icelandic culture through works such as "The Little Book of the Icelanders at Christmas" which explores local customs during Yuletide.

Jólabókaflóð offers an opportunity to share literature's joy with family while learning about Iceland's unique cultural heritage during Christmas time.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Flying Food Group, Inc. has announced the recipients of its 2025 scholarships, with all five applicants receiving awards this year.

Oct 23, 2025

Dnata, a global provider of air and travel services, has entered into a joint venture with Azerbaijan’s Silk Way Group to launch ground handling and cargo operations at Alat International Airport, located in the Alat Free Economic Zone in Baku.

Oct 22, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced the release of version 7.5 of its mobile app, introducing new features aimed at making travel planning and management easier for customers during the holiday season.

Oct 22, 2025

The Fair Work Commission has ruled that a former employee of dnata Airport Services was unfairly dismissed and awarded $36,468.39 in compensation.

Oct 22, 2025

The 13th Annual Breast Care International Walk for the Cure took place in Kumasi, Ghana, drawing around 30,000 participants, including survivors, healthcare professionals, students, traditional leaders, and advocates.

Oct 22, 2025

The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced the closure of Terminal 5 to allow for a significant redevelopment.

Oct 22, 2025