Tag: tradition

  • ‘Whence proceeds the custom of making April Fools?’

    ‘Whence proceeds the custom of making April Fools?’

    By Rosa Hodgkin In 1708 the Apollo Magazine printed the query, “Whence proceeds the custom of making April Fools?”. The answer received was “It may not improperly be derived from a memorable transaction happening between the Romans and Sabines, mentioned by Dionysius, which was thus: the Romans, about the infancy of the city, wanting wives,…

  • The Christmas Book Flood, or, ‘That’s Why Bookworms Go To Iceland’

    The Christmas Book Flood, or, ‘That’s Why Bookworms Go To Iceland’

    By Chris Campbell Scandinavian customs have grown in popularity year-round, but always seem to be particularly prevalent at Christmas. Whether hygge, from Denmark,inspires us to create a warm and cosy atmosphere with friends and family, or fika, from Sweden,tempts us to pause and relax on a wintry morning with (another) coffee and cinnamon bun, the…