Icelandic Culture
Icelandic culture is built on an ancient heritage of literature and language, yet it is also modern and international. A small nation has created an astonishing amount: literature read all over the world, music that tops the charts and films that win international awards.
A nation of books
Icelanders are often called a nation of books. The Sagas of Icelanders, the Eddic poems and Snorri's Edda are among the finest literature of the Middle Ages. Hundreds of new books are published every year, most of them before Christmas in the so-called Christmas book flood, and surveys suggest that Icelanders read more than most other nations. The Icelandic saying "to carry a book in one's belly" – meaning everyone has a book in them waiting to be written – sums up the attitude. Modern authors are covered on our page about literature.
Naming customs
Icelanders mostly use patronymics (and increasingly matronymics) instead of family names. The son of Jón is called Jónsson and his daughter Jónsdóttir. Since 2019 people registered with a neutral gender can use the ending "-bur". The telephone directory is sorted by first names, and people address each other by first name, even the president. The Icelandic Naming Committee rules on whether new first names fit the Icelandic language system.
| Father/mother | Son | Daughter | Gender-neutral |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jón | Jónsson | Jónsdóttir | Jónsbur |
| Guðrún | Guðrúnarson | Guðrúnardóttir | Guðrúnarbur |
| Ólafur | Ólafsson | Ólafsdóttir | Ólafsbur |
Art and design
Icelandic visual art has a shorter history than its literature, but in the 20th century pioneers emerged such as Þórarinn B. Þorláksson, Ásgrímur Jónsson, Jóhannes S. Kjarval and Júlíana Sveinsdóttir. Kjarval is known for his powerful paintings of lava and moss. Einar Jónsson and Ásmundur Sveinsson were the leading sculptors. In contemporary art, Ólafur Elíasson has gained worldwide attention. Icelandic design, from the lopapeysa sweater to furniture and fashion, is also popular.
Film and theatre
Icelandic filmmaking has flourished since the Icelandic Film Fund was established in 1978. Friðrik Þór Friðriksson was nominated for an Oscar for *Children of Nature* (1991). Baltasar Kormákur, Dagur Kári, Hlynur Pálmason and Rúnar Rúnarsson are among the best-known directors. Iceland is also a popular location for foreign blockbusters and TV series. Reykjavík has the National Theatre and the Reykjavík City Theatre, and theatre groups are active all over the country.
Sports
Glíma, a traditional form of wrestling, is Iceland's national sport and dates back to the settlement era. Handball and football are the most popular team sports. The men's handball team won silver at the 2008 Olympics, and the men's football team reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, where they beat England. The "Viking clap" – "HÚH!" – then went around the world. Powerlifting and strongman competitions also have a strong tradition, and Icelanders have won the title "World's Strongest Man" many times.
Culture sections on this site
- The Icelandic language – history and features of the language.
- Music – from rímur to Björk.
- Food – þorramatur, skyr and lamb.
- Festivals and traditions – Yule Lads, Þorrablót and 17 June.
- Folklore – elves, trolls and ghosts.
Frequently asked questions
Why don't Icelanders have family names?
Icelanders maintain the old Nordic tradition of patronymics. Family names exist, but the creation of new ones has been restricted by law.
What is Iceland's national sport?
Glíma, an ancient form of wrestling, is Iceland's national sport.
All articles in Culture
- The Sagas of Icelanders and Old Norse LiteratureThe Sagas of Icelanders: Njáls saga, Egil's saga, Laxdæla, Grettir's saga, the Eddas, Heimskringla and the return of the manuscripts in 1971.
- The Icelandic LanguageThe Icelandic language: its origins, the alphabet with þ and ð, grammar, new-word coining, language policy and Icelandic Language Day.
- Icelandic MusicIcelandic music: rímur and tvísöngur, choirs, the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Björk, Sigur Rós, Of Monsters and Men, Laufey and music festivals.
- Icelandic FoodFacts about Icelandic food: traditional dishes such as hangikjöt, lamb soup, plokkfiskur, skyr, flatkökur and þorramatur, as well as modern Icelandic cuisine and drinks.
- Festivals and TraditionsIcelandic festivals and traditions: the thirteen Yule Lads, Grýla, Þorrablót, Bun Day, the First Day of Summer, 17 June and New Year's Eve.
- Folklore, Elves and TrollsIcelandic folklore: hidden people and elves, trolls, ghosts, outlaws, sea monsters, Sæmundur the Learned, the land spirits and Jón Árnason's tales.
- Modern Icelandic LiteratureIcelandic literature from the 19th century to today: Jónas Hallgrímsson, Halldór Laxness, 20th-century writers, crime fiction and new authors.