According to the latest DNA research, Icelanders are 80.5% Nordic and 19.5% Irish, Scottish, or English. The settlement of Iceland, which lasted for nearly sixty years from 874 to 930, saw 12 percent of the settlers coming from the British Isles. During their journey, the Norwegians went on Viking raids, especially to Ireland, to capture slaves who then quickly gained freedom and land in Iceland. This is why nearly a fifth of Icelanders’ genetic material is from the British Isles.
For nearly thirty years, at the beginning of June, a Viking festival has been held at Víðistaðatún Park in Hafnarfjörður, a port town approximately a 15-minute drive south of Reykjavík. Vikings come for the festivities from all over the world, even from as far away as Australia, to fight, enjoy dressing up as Vikings, and meet one another. The festival lasts three days and is attended by about 25 thousand people annually. Admission is free, and there’s always good weather during the Viking festival. Icelandic Times visited the festival, refrained from taking part in skirmishes, but instead took pictures and videos, since it’s not every day that one gets to go back a thousand years in time.
Hafnarfjörður 15/06/2024 :A7C R – FE 2.5/40mm G
Photos & text: Páll Stefánsson
