Day of the Icelandic Language

16 November is the Day of the Icelandic Language and is also the birthday of the poet Jónas Hallgrímsson. For many years, the day has been a very festive and eventful occasion, particularly in the kindergartens and primary schools of Hafnarfjörður.  On this day, the cultivation phase of the Little and Big Reading Competition begins, and many other fun projects are also formally launched.

Special emphasis on reading aloud and presentation

The Great Reading Competition kicks off for the 23rd time in Hafnarfjörður, the project's cradle. Over the years, the project became a nationwide initiative and has now reached the point where almost all schools in the country take part annually. The Great Reading Competition is for pupils in the 7th grade of primary schools. The competition involves all students dedicating special effort to their reading and presentation skills in the run-up to the final festival, which will be held in March or April 2019 at Hafnarborg in Hafnarfjörður. Two representatives from each school will then compete, reading both poetry and prose selected by a special committee. All students in the year group receive a certificate of recognition at the end of the qualifying period. On the Day of the Icelandic Language, a short story competition also begins among pupils in Years 8 to 10 of Hafnarfjörður's comprehensive schools, and the results will be announced at the aforementioned final celebration. This time, pupils have the choice of writing either about  magic or health. Alongside this, a competition for the design of the invitation for the Grand Reading Competition final begins. The competition is held annually for Year 6 pupils, and participation has always been very good, with many works of art being submitted for the invitations.

To become better at reading today than yesterday

The Junior Reading Competition is newer than the Senior one and is for Year 4 pupils in primary schools. It is now being formally held for the ninth time. The competition is based on the same concept as the Senior one but is adapted for younger pupils. It covers presentation and reading aloud, but with a different focus. Everyone takes part, and the concept of a 'competition' in this project is solely about becoming a better reader today than yesterday. Then, in April 2019, celebrations are held within the schools, parents receive a special invitation, and all the pupils receive a certificate of recognition.  This development project also began in Hafnarfjörður, but today around 3,000 pupils nationwide take part. Last spring, 17 final events of the Little Reading Competition were held in the primary schools of Hafnarfjörður. 

Further information is available from each individual school and from the office of the Education and Leisure Services of Hafnarfjörður, which is responsible for this. Ingibjörg Einarsdóttir , former Director of the Hafnarfjörður School Office, project manager for these projects.