[1] Ólavsøka is a cultural and sports festival with boat races, football matches and other events.

Like several other Faroese holidays, the vøka begins the evening before, so Ólavsøka always starts on 28 July with an opening ceremony.

In addition, there are art exhibitions, folk music, and Faroese chain dancing.

The stamps shown on the right were issued by Postverk Føroya on 18 May 1998, and the artwork was produced by Edward Fuglø.

The people who walk in procession then gather on the triangle-shaped Tinghúsvøllur in front of the parliament building (Løgtingshúsið og Tinghúsið), there will be a speech by someone who is appointed, and this person will officially open the Ólavsøka.

The Faroese boat race is in several parts, divided into groups of children, boys, girls, men and women.

The Faroese Prime Minister (Løgmaður) will give his speech, and the politicians will have the opportunity to comment on it the following days.

But before the opening of the Løgting, there is a ceremony, which starts just before 11:00 in the morning, where the Faroese priests, the members of the Faroese Parliament, the head of the Police, some Danish officials and some other important people will walk in procession to Tórshavn Cathedral (Dómkirkjan, earlier called Havnar Kirkja).

One of the most famous Faroese composers Sunnleif Rasmussen composed and directed the Ólavsøka Cantata, which was based on the history of Faroese music, back to folk songs and hymns of Thomas Kingo up to the present time with modern music.