The festival known as Ólavsøka spans several days, but officially July 29 is the big day of merrymaking in the Faroe Islands. What exactly are the Faroese people celebrating? Technically, they"re observing the death of Saint Olaf. The Norwegian King Olaf II is said to have died in battle on this day in 1030. A century later, he was sainted by the Catholic Church.
Góða ólavsøku, from the Faroes!
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
-
For Hispanic Heritage Month: Out of Many, One
-
False clownfish off Cabilao Island, Bohol, Philippines
-
Nazaré Lighthouse
-
Tambopata National Reserve, Peru
-
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
-
A bridge that rocks
-
Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam
-
’Chess on ice’
-
Let’s have a ball
-
A hidden jewel in Croatia
-
It’s showtime for a precious crop
-
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
-
Cypress trees in George L. Smith State Park, Georgia
-
A young jaguar on a riverbank, Pantanal, Brazil
-
Gaztelugatxe at sunset, Basque Country, Spain
-
Diwali lights in Guwahati, India
-
Sea Otter Awareness Week
-
Hut, hut, hike!
-
Winding road of Julier Pass, Switzerland
-
Miravet, Catalonia, Spain
-
A summertime light show
-
World Migratory Bird Day
-
Incense making, Vietnam
-
Hiking the High Trestle Trail
-
Take me to the river
-
An opulent backdrop for a historic event
-
Groundhog Day
-
Brown bear in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska
-
State funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
-
Swimming with the sea cows
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

