Locals in remote town in North Iceland celebrate return of the sun

The villagers of Siglufjörður, a beautiful and remote town in the North of Iceland, celebrated "sólarkaffi," or sun coffee yesterday. Why? Because it's the first day of the year when the sun rises high enough above the tall mountaintops to be seen. 

Jóhann Már Sigurbjörnsson and  his daughter Sesselia María were among the locals who celebrated the return of the sun with a smile. The sun hadn't been seen for 74 days as it disappeared behind the mountains on November 15th. 

Traditionally, pancakes are served on this day and students sing traditional songs on the steps of the town church. 

Winter snow in Siglufjörður. Sigurður Ægisson

Siglufjörður is a small fishing town in a narrow fjord with the same name on the northern coast of Iceland. Inhabitants are close to three thousand. Einar Falur Ingólfsson