St. Olav’s Day around the world in 2024

St. Olav’s Day around the world in 2024
The death of Olav the Saint. Image by Peter Nicolai Arbo
  How long until St. Olav’s Day?
St. Olav’s Day
  Dates of St. Olav’s Day around the world
2025 Faroe IslandsJul 29
Faroe Islands Tue, Jul 29National Holiday
2024 Faroe IslandsJul 29
Faroe Islands Mon, Jul 29National Holiday
2023 Faroe IslandsJul 29
Faroe Islands Sat, Jul 29National Holiday
2022 Faroe IslandsJul 29
Faroe Islands Fri, Jul 29National Holiday
2021 Faroe IslandsJul 29
Faroe Islands Thu, Jul 29National Holiday
  Summary

Commemorates the Norwegian King Olav the second, who brought Christianity to the Faroe Islands and who died in battle on July 29th 1030

When is St. Olav's Day?

St. Olav's Day is a public holiday in the Faroe Islands on July 29th.

Known as Ólavsøka, it is the National Day of the Faroe Islands and commemorates King Olav the Second who brought Christianity to the Islands.

St. Olav's Eve (Ólavsøkuaftan) is held on July 28th and is a public holiday in the afternoon for most people.

History of St. Olav's Day

Olaf II Haraldsson (Ólavur Halgi in Faroese) was King of Norway from 1015 to 1028. Olaf died on July 29th 1030 in the battle at Stiklastað in Norway. There are many sagas about miracles performed by Olav and within a year of his death, he had been canonised as a saint.

Shortly after, Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim was built over his burial site. His sainthood brought many pilgrims to the Cathedral and encouraged the widespread adoption of the Christian religion across Norway, which the Faroe Islands were part of during the middle ages.

St. Olav became the patron saint of Norway and his feast day was a major festival in Norway up until the reformation. Though the anniversary of his death is still marked in Norway by religious services, it is in the Faroe Islands where the celebrations remain a popular summer festival.

How is St. Olav's Day Celebrated?

Ólavsøka means 'Saint Olav's Wake' and is a two-day celebration that begins on the evening of July 28th. Festivities include parades, sports events, music, speeches, some drinking and dancing.

To bring some formality to the proceedings, for 900 years, Ólavsøka has marked the annual opening of the Faroese parliament (Løgtingið) after the summer holidays.

At the opening of Parliament, the Prime Minister (Løgmaður) will make his annual speech to the Parliament and the Faroese Nation.

Ólavsøka ends at midnight on July 29th when crowds gather to sing Faroese folks songs and perform the traditional Faroese chain dance.

Góða Ólavsøku!


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