Initially, the days preceding Great Lent were celebrated with abundant feasts. However, in the 19th century, a new tradition was brought to Iceland from Denmark, which was to the liking of local bakeries, namely, to consume a special type of cakes filled with whipped cream and covered with icing.
Iceland Cake Day (Buns Day or Bolludagur) celebrated annually across the country on Monday, two days before.
The tradition immediately won the hearts of children. It soon became a custom, armed with a buffoon’s painted whip, to wake up parents early in the morning by shouting the name of the cakes: “Bollur, bollur!” How many times you shout out – you will get so many cakes. Initially, however, it was supposed to whip oneself. Perhaps this custom goes back to a pagan rite of awakening the forces of nature: perhaps it is addressed to the passions of Christ, but now it has turned into a nationwide amusement.
Also, children on this day were supposed to march through the streets, sing and beg for cakes in bakeries. In response to the intractable pastry chefs, they sounded: “French children are honored here!” It was also a common custom to “knock the cat out of the barrel”, however, in all cities except Akureyri, the custom moved to Ash Day.
Now bollur cakes appear in bakeries a few days before the holiday itself – to the delight of children and all lovers of sweet pastries.