Iceland’s unique tradition has been unchanged for almost a century. It’s called Jolabokaflod or “Christmas book flood,” a national practice that brings family and friends together. On Christmas Eve, people gather around the fireplace to exchange books and enjoy them with hot cocoa or chocolate.
Jolabokaflod is about more than just gifting; it’s about reading. And in the months leading up to Christmas, there’s always an increase in literary events. But what’s the true origin of this tradition?
The history of Jolabokaflod
The origin of Iceland’s Christmas book-giving tradition is somewhat unclear, but the most accepted story dates back to World War II. In 1944, Iceland gained its independence, but inherited a failing economy. This meant many goods were restricted, including gifts. Fortunately, paper was one of the few items that weren’t. This led to an abundance of books and the start of Iceland’s book-gifting culture.
Another theory suggests the tradition began with a book club called the Reykjavik Library Foundation. Their goal was to encourage literacy during the long, dark winter nights. Whatever the reason, Icelanders have a long love affair with literature. For more than 800 years, Icelandic writers have recorded their history in sagas.
Iceland’s love of books
It’s no surprise that Iceland is one of the most literate countries in the world. It also publishes more books per capita than any other nation — so much so that one in 10 people has a published book to their name. From the Prime Minister to the First Lady, Icelanders have embraced the written word.
Interestingly, the language spoken in Iceland today is almost identical to the Scandinavian language from a thousand years ago. In 1975, a sociologist named Richard Tomasson wrote: “The very survival of this isolated people during the misery of the five centuries circa 1300-1800 has sometimes been attributed to the sustenance provided by their history, poetry, and literature.”
Modern Christmas book flood
The Icelandic book trade sends a bulletin of published books to every home annually. This helps Icelanders find the perfect gift for their loved ones on Christmas Eve.
Bryndís Loftsdóttir, co-director of the Icelandic Publishers Association, believes this tradition is right in many ways. It helps preserve the language, and since books are all the same price, there’s no need for price comparison.
Today, people give novels, cookbooks, children’s books, and biographies during the Christmas book flood. Crime fiction is a big hit, but in 2010, one of the best-selling books was about tractors.
The rising popularity of Jolabokaflod
The popularity of book-giving in Iceland is undeniable. There’s an increase in literary events leading up to Christmas, and 50 percent of Icelanders read more than eight books yearly. Baldur Bjarnason, a researcher and author, believes this is due to the spirit of Jolabokaflod. “If you look at sales distribution in the U.K. and the States, most book sales come from a minority of people. In Iceland, it’s much more widespread. Most people buy several books a year.”
How to celebrate Jolabokaflod
You can create a Jolabokaflod Christmas tradition in your own home. It’s the perfect holiday gift for bibliophiles, and from its success in Iceland, you can understand why. Plus, you can incorporate other gifting practices from around the world.
Most importantly, it’s an opportunity to bring your family and friends together as you share stories and enjoy the written word. There’s nothing quite like a cozy night spent with a good book.
So why not start your own Christmas book-giving tradition this year? With some planning and the right selection of books, you can make this Christmas one to remember.
