Day 14 – The 13th & Final Icelandic Yule Lad (Kertasníkir) Comes to town

Tonight Kertasníkir, the 13th and final Yule Lad, comes to town – the favorite among Icelanders. To hear about the other Yule Lads that have already arrived and an overview of this Icelandic Christmas series, check out Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12 and Day 13. Below is the Icelandic and English version of the poem about Kertasníkir by Jóhannes úr Kötlum. Icelandic version of the poem about Kertasníkir Þrettándi var Kertasníkir,  -þá var tíðin köld,  ef ekki kom hann síðastur  á aðfangadagskvöld.  Hann elti litlu börnin,  sem brostu glöð og fín,  og trítluðu um bæinn  með tólgarkertin sín. English version of the poem about Kertasníkir The thirteenth was Candle Beggar – ​​´twas cold, I believe, if he was not the last of the lot on Christmas Eve. He trailed after the little ones who, like happy sprites, ran about the farm with their fine tallow lights. Icelandic Christmas tradition The 23rd of December in Iceland is Saint Þorlákur’s Day in Iceland,  Thorlak Thorhallsson is the patron saint of Iceland. He was bishop of Skálholt from 1178 until his death on December 23rd, 1193.  The holiday calls for a special meal which many eat only once a year: fermented or putrefied skate (a type of ray). Share this post Share on facebook Facebook Share on email Email Share on twitter Twitter