Jólabókaflóð: Iceland's Yule Book Flood
Jólabókaflóð, meaning Yule book flood, is a beloved Icelandic tradition that celebrates the joy of reading and books during the Christmas or Yule season. The tradition dates back to World War II when paper was one of the few available resources due to import restrictions. As a result, books became a popular gift choice, and the tradition of exchanging books on Christmas or Yule Eve took root.
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Icelandic publishers release a plethora of new book titles through a book catalogue called the Bókatíðindi (Book Bulletin), and families eagerly anticipate the "Book Flood." On Christmas or Yule Eve, Icelanders exchange books as presents and spend the evening cozying up with their new literary treasures. It is a time of relaxation, and indulgence, immersed in the world of words, before the business of Yuletide.
The Jólabókaflóð tradition has contributed to Iceland's status as a nation of book lovers. The country has one of the highest rates of book consumption per capita in the world, and the literary culture is deeply ingrained in Icelandic society. The tradition not only fosters a love for reading but also serves as a way to support local authors and publishers, making it a unique and cherished part of Icelandic Yule celebrations.
In my household, we enjoy giving gifts of books and winter pyjamas on Yule Eve and spending a hyggelig night together drinking hot chocolate and reading. Many Australians have started to adopt the tradition of Jólabókaflóð for Christmas (in the middle of our hot summer), adapting it for the Australian climate: warm pyjamas are swapped for something more suited to the stinking hot weather (boxers and singlets usually do the trick), and the hot chocolate is replaced with an ice cold drink. I love this tradition so much that I celebrate it twice a year, with Australian-themed books for our Christmas Jólabókaflóð in summer and wintry-themed ones for our Jólabókaflóð on Yule Eve in July.
The weather might be different but the sentiment is the same, there is no better way to spend the night before Yule or Christmas, than by snuggling up (or spreading out under the aircon) with a book, whether it is in the depths of winter or on a hot summer’s night. Do you celebrate Jólabókaflóð? What is your favourite book-reading tradition? Please share in the comments.
In the next article, we explore the history of Yule and the ancient tradition of the Yule Log. Sjáumst bráðlega! (‘See you soon’ in Icelandic).