Bolludagur
Bolludagur
Holiday in Iceland associated with Fastelavn
Bolludagur, or "Cream Bun Day", is a holiday in Iceland associated with Fastelavn, the carnival tradition before Lent celebrated in Scandinavian countries. Bolludagur is celebrated on Shrove Monday; the following days are Sprengidagur (on Shrove Tuesday), and Öskudagur (Ash Wednesday).
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The holiday derives from the Lutheran countries, particularly Denmark and Norway, and was brought to Iceland in the 19th century. It took a specifically Icelandic form in the middle of the 20th century, with children decorating a stick with colored paper and spanking their parents with it while demanding buns ("bolla, bolla, bolla!"). In return, the parents give the children cream buns.[1] The Encyclopedia of Easter Celebrations Worldwide suggests that the tradition may be based on a Catholic liturgical element of the service at the beginning of Lent, when the priest would use a wand to sprinkle holy water on the congregation.[2]
The buns are sweet cream buns; the filling is cream and jam. The buns are topped with chocolate.[3]