Among all other European ones, Iceland's culture is rightly considered the most distinctive and unique. The reason for this is both a certain isolation of the island state, and the personal qualities of the Icelanders themselves, who are characterized by conservatism and adherence to national traditions. A considerable contribution to the formation of the cultural traditions of the state was made by rather harsh weather conditions, a solid duration of the polar day and night, cut off from the mainland due to frequent floods and snow drifts.
Language and names
Due to the remoteness and isolation from the rest of Europe, the language of Icelanders has retained its special similarity with the ancient Scandinavian dialects. Observing the purity of the language, Icelanders in every possible way prevent the penetration of foreign words and neologisms into it. Due to its ancient roots, the Icelanders' language is considered one of the richest in the world.
Icelanders have also kept interesting traditions with regard to names. The indigenous people of the country do not have surnames, but only names and patronymics, and a few years ago a person who did not have an Icelandic name could not become a citizen of the country.
An important part of Icelandic culture is literature, whose origins date back to Old Norse folklore traditions. The main works that have come down to us since the time of the Vikings are sagas, or generic prose legends. They told about royal dynasties and famous warriors. Contemporary Icelandic literature introduces the reader to the works of H. K. Laxness, who received the Nobel Prize for his work.
Nordic architecture
In traditional Icelandic culture, preference was given to building houses from peat blocks. The roofs of the squat buildings were covered with turf, which made it cool and dry inside in summer and warm in winter. Medieval craftsmen were famous for wood carving, which adorned utensils and furniture.
The main attractions of Irish architecture are churches and cathedrals:
- The capital's cathedral, erected in the middle of the 18th century, is famous for the baptismal font by B. Thorvaldsen.
- Hallgrimskirkja Lutheran Church in the center of Reykjavik, which has become the hallmark of the city. The mechanical organ of the temple weighs over 25 tons, and its height is 15 meters. By the way, it is from the observation deck of the church that the most magnificent view of the capital of Iceland opens.
