The first Sunday in June is Fishermen’s Day (aka Sailors’ Day) in Iceland, when Iceland’s fishermen are honored and the fishing industry is celebrated. To mark the occasion, festivals will be held around Iceland, including Reykjavík, where the Festival of the Sea is to take place June 5-6.
Two young fishermen proudly show the photographer their catch. Photo by Páll Stefánsson.
“Boats and ships of all sizes come into port carrying sailors eager to try their hand at strongman and rowing competitions between ship crews and companies. On this day, the Icelandic rescue squad [reenacts] a rescue at sea in the Reykjavik harbour. Sailors’ Day is a lighthearted occasion with lots of fun for the whole family,” visitreykjavik.is says in description of the Fishermen’s Day.
The program includes puffin and whale watching, cruises, a fish market, photo competitions, a fish exhibition, sea angling, face painting, a message-in-a-bottle factory, accordion music, song, dance, sports and much more, not to mention a feast of fish dishes.
Click here to read more about the program (in Icelandic) and here to watch a slideshow from a previous Fishermen’s Day.
