Text: Barbora Fialova
Photography: Antanas Sakinis

What is a tradition? And when do we know that what we are doing will turn into a tradition? That’s the question, but you don’t have to answer uploud. When we got the news about restrictions, we knew we wouldn’t be able to help organizing the traditional day of Ljósadagur á Laugarvatni, which includes the Christmas market, candle floating, waffles and hot chocolate. So, we decided to react on it. We shortly realized that the safes way to go would be an outdoor activity, and we chose to do a nice and cozy afternoon for families within our community.

Luktaganga, or Lantern Walk, sounded like a good idea. To prevent too many people gathering on the same spot, we decided to have different checkpoints with funny and challenging tasks. Participants signed in as families or groups of maximum ten people, staying together during the walk. With a total of six checkpoints, we believe everyone was able to find something interesting. One some of them participants would find written instructions. On others, people from our team would meet them and explain what to do.

Luktaganga, or Lantern Walk, sounded like a good idea. To prevent too many people gathering on the same spot, we decided to have different checkpoints with funny and challenging tasks. Participants signed in as families or groups of maximum ten people, staying together during the walk. With a total of six checkpoints, we believe everyone was able to find something interesting. One some of them participants would find written instructions. On others, people from our team would meet them and explain what to do.

 The day was bright, and a thick cover of fresh snow created a wonderful winter atmosphere. The walk was not a short one but even the little ones managed it, despite conditions that were not the easiest to go through (or they were pulled on sledge by their parents).

The participants showed responsible behavior and waited their time in safe distance, if checkpoints were busy upon their arrival. They also had the chance to challenge themselves, work together and learn something new. In the forest they learned about virtues, at Héraðsskólinn school building they did pictures, in Bjarnalundur grove they sang for the troll Grýla and her kids, in Leppalúðamýri marsh they created snow creatures and by the lake they floated burning candles.

The Lantern Walk was about checkpoints, but even more about enjoying the walk as a family or group, and for a while forget the strange times we are enduring in 2020. 

We believe that doing something for the community can only bring good things and kindness for the society. We would like to thank all the people that offer help to make dreams come true.

 Planet Laugarvatn is comprised of people of different nations around the world, that have met in the magical place of Laugarvatn. The differences between us are erased if we can create something beautiful and valuable together.