Happy Ólavsøka Day Faroe Islands!

Ólavsøka Day
From 1998 Faroe Islands 
EUROPA / C.E.P.T.: Festivals and National Celebrations set

Ólavsøka’s literal meaning is “Saint Olaf’s Wake” (vigilia sancti Olavi  in Latin). Ólavsøka is a celebration of the Norwegian king Olaf Haraldsson II (Ólavur Halgi  in Faroese), who died in the battle at Stiklestad Norway in 1030. After his death, King Olaf was canonised and became the patron saint of Norway. His death is thought to have contributed to the subsequent Christianisation of Norway, and thus also the Faroe Islands. In the Middle Ages the Faroe Islands were part of the Kingdom of Norway and the tradition of Olsok (as it is called in Norwegian) has lasted on  the Faroe Islands, and is today recognised as the National Day and Festival of Faroe Islands.

Ólavsøka is a two-day celebration through 28 and 29 of July and many Faroese people crowd into the capital Tórshavn, were Ólavsøka is celebrated. People stroll up and down the streets of Tórshavn, many dressed in the colourful national Faroese dress, greeting friends and acquaintances and partaking in jovial celebrations. The salute for Ólavsøka in Faroese is Góða Ólavsøku!(Good Olaf’s Wake!). 
National Day – Faroe Islands