Celebrating Sailors’ Day in Iceland

This Sunday is Sjómannadagurinn, meaning ‘sailors’ day’ or ‘seamen’s day’. It is Iceland’s day to honour especially all those who are involved in the country’s fisheries, particularly those working at sea.

Sjómannadagurinn is celebrated on the first Sunday of June all over the country, with the biggest festivals often held in towns where fisheries are the main source of employment. Although Sjómannadagurinn is officially on a Sunday, many places begin festivities on the Saturday.

The day was first celebrated in Reykjavik and Ísafjörður (West Fjords) back in 1938, but even before that Icelanders had the tradition of holding special church services for seamen before the fishing vessels departed after the winter break.

The day was made official in 1987.

To see an overview of some of the events around Iceland to celebrate Sjómannadagurinn, check out Iceland Monitor’s Events page for this weekend, 6-7 June. (click here).