What Is Jólabókaflóð?
Inside Iceland’s Book Flood Tradition.
Knot Waste is all about finding creative rituals that encourage us to slow down and reconnect with ourselves and the world around us. That's why the Icelandic Jólabókaflóð is a great discovery for us.
Our Glacier Melt Embroidery Pattern Bundle Features Our Environmental Article.
What is the Icelandic Christmas Book Flood?
In English 'Jólabókaflóð' rougly translates as “Christmas Book Flood”, but the Icelandic Christmas Book Flood actually begins in autumn, with a surge of new books appearing from late September. By November, Iceland's annual Book Bulletin helps readers choose the books they might give as Christmas presents. The season culminates on Christmas Eve, when books are traditionally exchanged and enjoyed.
It began during World War II, as Iceland gained independence from Denmark around 1944. Imported goods were restricted and paper was one of the commodities that wasn't rationed in the same way, so it was the obvious choice to start gifting books as Christmas gifts. The tradition outlived the war, and is still enjoyed to this day with the importance of books, publishing and reading being celebrated around Christmas.
Why reading can be good for our wellbeing
“Recent research reviewing 43 studies found several ways reading for pleasure can support wellbeing, including providing space away from everyday stressors, encouraging perspective-taking, stimulating the mind and helping people develop self-understanding, positivity and connection with others,” - PubMed.
A chance to Slow Down
Screens are frazzling us all, so having a read is a great way to take a deliberate pause from all of their notifications and everyday demands.
An Opportunity to Escape
A good story can temporarily transport us somewhere completely different.
A Different Perspective
Stories allow us to experience situations through other people's eyes, potentially encouraging empathy.
A Mindful Ritual
Reading can become part of a calming evening routine rather than another task on a to-do list.
Connection
Books can also create conversations and shared experiences; whether through book clubs, recommendations or simply talking about something you've read.
Copyright Knot Waste: South Iceland’s Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.
From Icelandic books to mindful creativity
What if a bookmark could be more than something that marks your page? Inspired by our travel photographs of melting Icelandic glaciers, we've created some limited edition bookmarks. Each bookmark is a mini piece of nature art in its own right, and a little piece of a bigger picture as they were created to match a larger nature artwork that we made. We'd love for something inspired by a real landscape to become part of your reading ritual.
Copyright Knot Waste: Travel Photo That Inspired The Bookmarks.
Art inspired by a changing landscape
The glaciers in Iceland took our breath away, so naturally, we snapped many travel pics. Once home and reliving our trip with a brew as we flicked through the photos, we decided that a piece of nature art would complement our Glacier Melt embrodiery pattern nicely. From that, we created some matching bookmarks that we hope will become part of your reading ritual.
The glacier isn't simply a pretty image to look at. It represents a landscape that is changing, making the bookmark a small reminder of the relationship between creativity, nature and environmental change.
Copyright Knot Waste: Glacier Melt Beginners Pattern - Finished Example.
How to create your own Jólabókaflóð-inspired evening
As September rolls in and the evenings get darker, make like the Icelandics and have your own Christmas Book Flood.
Choose a book you genuinely want to read.
Give a book to someone else.
Put your phone away for an hour.
Make yourself a favourite drink.
Find somewhere comfortable.
Use a bookmark that means something to you.
Give yourself permission to do nothing but read.
Copyright Knot Waste: Reykjavik, Iceland - Greenhouse Cafe.
The Icelandic Book Flood offers an interesting alternative to the frantic side of Christmas, and an interesting contrast to the pressure to constantly buy new things. It celebrates books, creativity, thoughtful gifting and the simple pleasure of making time to read.
Christmas gifting can be about giving someone an experience rather than simply giving them another object. We can all gift less, but gift better.
Just like our bookmarks, sometimes a small object can hold a much bigger story.
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