The Culture
Christianity is the most dominant of the 41 religions practiced in Iceland. Apart from Icelandic, locals speak English, Danish, and German.
Iceland has many unique customs, including Bondadagur or Husband's Day that celebrates husbands and male partners, including boyfriends or fiances. It is one of the world's most feminist countries and has the smallest overall gender gap.
Christmas is a popular holiday in Iceland but the celebrations last twelve nights, with January 6 marking the end of Christmas season. The last day of Christmas is celebrated with fireworks, bonfires, and drinking until dawn.
Despite a population of just 380,000, the number of museums and art galleries in the country is impressive. Cities, towns, and fishing villages alike have public places dedicated to art and heritage. Reyjavik has a thriving art, music, and theater scene. The Iceland Symphony Orchestra's cultural season begins in fall, and gives about 60 performances, including classical concerts and contemporary music.
The National Theater and Reykjavik City Theater have two full time companies that perform the year round. Major festivals include the Reykjavik Arts festival, featuring exhibitions, performances, and installations by local and international artists, Iceland Airwaves, a famous music festival showcasing Icelandic and international musicians, and Secret Solstice, a music and culture festival held under the Midnight Sun.
Icelanders treasure their epic sagas, passed down from generations and offering glimpses into the beliefs, struggles, and triumphs of the early settlers. The medieval sagas appeared in the 13th and 14th centuries, which are considered the golden age of Icelandic literature.