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Viking Fire, Iceland, 1999

"A thousand years ago Viking ships carried traders, settlers, and raiders west to America, south to Italy, and east to Russia. Scandinavia's power would never be greater. In time the expeditions dwindled and the Norse joined Christian Europe, but their ways live on in parts of the former Viking dominion. On Vestmannaeyjar, Icelanders celebrate at midsummer as did their forefathers—with fire, song, and plenty to drink."

—From "In Search of Vikings," May 2000, National Geographic magazine

Photograph by Sisse Brimberg