About 4% of Icelanders aged 18 – 80 have attended marriage seminars held by a minister of the church in Hafnarfjördur, Thórhallur Heimisson. According to Fréttabladid the seminars, now running for the 11th year in a row, continue to be sold out.
Thórhallur told Fréttabladid that there is no use sending emails or calling because “the course is completely full”. Couples interested in the 6 hour class are put on an 8 month wait list. He said the demand had been incredible, “It’s really unbelievable, the courses are always very well attended,” said Thórhallur.
According to Thórhallur, the marriage therapy courses are not limited to people experiencing marital problems but also those couples interested in strengthening their relationships. Thórhallur said it was a positive course that helped people examine themselves. He believes that the popularity of the courses stems from the fact that people are not told how to behave instead they receive help in finding their own way.
In total, 7,500 people from all age groups, classes and from all over the country have attended the courses. That figure amounts to about 4% of the Icelanders aged 18 – 80.
The courses are held from 8 pm – 10 pm for three evenings, with a coffee break and mandatory home work. All class material was created by Thórhallur.
