From the fireworks of New Year’s Eve to the bonfires of “the thirteenth”

The first time I was in Reykjavik for New Year’s Eve, I was so surprised by the sheer volume of fireworks – both the sight of them exploding in every direction around the entire horizon, and the sound of thousands of syncopated pops, booms and bangs – that I phoned home (Australia) just to let them listen too.

Perhaps it’s to counter the mid-winter darkness, but Icelanders really take their fireworks seriously and it’s always a sight worth seeing.

Fireworks exploding over Reykjavik, 31 December.

But the next thing that surprised me was that the fireworks kept going – there are always little bursts of light in the first days of January, and they culminate in a second, smaller round of fireworks and bonfires today, the 13th day of Christmas, or Threttándinn, which some also refer to as Ljósadagur, Day of Lights.

Today is the day many people get rid of their Christmas trees (some added to the organised bonfires around town) and the last of the Yuletide Lads heads home to the mountains. Young children take torches to school, and the older ones take part in candle processions. Elf and troll costumes will abound tonight as everyone makes their way to the closest bonfire to celebrate light in the mid-winter darkness.