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today’s holiday: St. Thorlak’s Day (2014)


St. Thorlak’s Day (2014)

Thorlak Thorhalli (1133-1193) was born in Iceland and, after being educated abroad, returned there to become bishop of Skalholt in 1177 or 1178. He was canonized by the Icelandic parliament five years after his death. His day traditionally marks the climax of Christmas preparations for Icelanders. It is associated with housecleaning, as well as the preparation of special foods. The hangiket, or smoked mutton, for Christmas was usually cooked on this day, and, in the western fjords, the smell of skate hash cooked on St. Thorlak’s Day is still considered a harbinger of the holiday season. More… Discuss