Merry Jólabókaflód from Give a Book!
Trips to the ice rink, decorating the tree and carolling followed by mulled wine and mince pies are a few typical Christmas traditions you’ll find in this country. However, in true Give a Book fashion, we discovered a tradition that revolves around books and the pleasure of reading.
In Iceland on Christmas Eve, the country spends the evening taking part in Jólabókaflód, loosely translated into English as the ‘Christmas book flood.’ Icelanders spend the night gifting books to one another before curling up with a cup of cocoa or a tipple of jólabland (alcohol free ale) and diving into a brand new book. Quite the idyllic haven on a cold winter’s night.
So where did it come from…
Jólabókaflód was coined in 1944. Paper was one of the commodities that was not rationed in Iceland as it was across other parts of Europe during WWII. The gift of a book was resourceful and fitting as writing and storytelling have always been part of the fabric of Icelandic society, going back to the ‘Edda,’ the old Norse work of literature written in the 13th century. These were the stories of the early settlers and a marker of Iceland’s literary culture. They served as a comfort to Icelanders over subsequent years where they endured hardships due to natural disaster and oppression from colonial powers.
Storytelling of their ancestors during the long dark winters known as kvöldvaka, was not only a form of entertainment but how children would learn about their history whilst learning how to read and write. From kvöldvaka grew Jólabókaflód. Icelanders got drunk on literature and turned out a country of bookaholics. To this day, books and a love of reading are an intrinsic part of Iceland’s culture and national identity and how they have kept their history alive.
Since Jólabókaflód came onto the scene, the Icelandic book trade has published a yearly Bókatíðindi (‘Book Bulletin’, in English) which is distributed round the homes to help people decide on which books to gift. In 2015, Christopher Norris, a pioneer of World Book Day, encouraged people all over the world to experience Jólabókaflód in a series of articles and blogs. He then launched a crowdfunding campaign to build better connections with Icelandic literature by seeking funds for UK libraries to spend on books translated into English by Icelandic authors.
What we can learn from experiencing Jólabókaflód…
This tradition promotes book buying and reading within the same initiative. Reading does not have to be a solitary activity but something that can be enjoyed and experienced in the company of others. Whilst the physical act of reading is an individual experience, it is not limited to that. As social beings, we take comfort in the ability to share our experiences with others and what we take away from a book, others may not. Thus, books spark a conversation and Jólabókaflód is the perfect example of bringing the solitary act of reading into the social realm.
Iceland gives a lot of time and energy into promoting books and reading. In the media, lots of space and airtime is given to books reviews, discussions and interviews with authors and even debates on book covers. What we experience between the pages of a book sends our imagination into overdrive. In a society that promotes and adores this pastime, it’s no wonder a nation of book lovers was born. This buzz and excitement around books will encourage people to frequent bookshops and take pleasure in reading.
The Give a Book team’s choices on what they would gift this Jólabókaflód:
Victoria – “Heartburn by the late great Nora Ephron – the laughter, the tears, the recipes – and a foreword by Stanley Tucci. What more could you wish for?”
Sarah T – “I’ve just been reading Laura Cumming’s The Vanishing Man. I didn’t really ‘get him’ as an artist but this has made me see. It’s a dazzler and a perfect gift.”
Rosa – “Animal’s People by Indra Sinha. I read this book ten years ago and it really stuck with me. I found it both hilarious and poignant.”
Sarah M – “Old God’s Time by Sebastian Barry. I haven’t read it yet but loved his previous books. (Extra bonus to this recommendation – he was the winner of the 2023 Pleasure of Reading Prize!)”
Ali – “Homing by Jon Day – it appears to be a memoir about homing pigeons and getting immersed in that world – but it is really about finding your place in the world.”
Ella – “August Blue by Deborah Levy. I absolutely loved Hot Milk when I read it a few years ago. She has such a unique way of writing – painfully matter-of-fact and dreamlike at the same time.”