grapevine.is

Training To Survive The Zombie Apocalypse? There´s An App For That

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:36:00 GMT

Software developers at Iceland-based Mindgames have created an iOS game that uses your brainwaves to play. Yes, your brainwaves.

Laugardalur: Not Just Home To A Swimming Pool

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:59:00 GMT

Laugardalur—“hot spring valley”—was so-named due to the prevalence of, yes, hot springs in the area. Some people even say that the name Reykjavík—“Smoky Bay”—derives from the hot steam that rose from these springs.

So Who Is This Geir H. Haarde Guy I Keep Hearing About?

Fri, 11 May 2012 11:31:00 GMT

Geir Hilmar Haarde, Geir Haarde for short, was Prime Minister of Iceland when the economy sank back in 2008. His signature moment was addressing the nation on TV right after the crash and asking God to bless Itceland, which in terms of Icelandic political discourse was as incongruous as hearing the Queen of England quote Linkin Park.

Iceland And The Rest Of The World

Thu, 10 May 2012 10:49:00 GMT

For many centuries Iceland was a colony of Denmark. Due to its isolation, it was largely neglected until the nineteenth century when Danish cultural influence became overwhelming.

Out Of Africa

Wed, 09 May 2012 12:22:00 GMT

Ragnar Sverrisson is an engineer and technician who has been active in the humanist movement for thirty years, both in Iceland and abroad. In recent years, Ragnar has devoted his time and money to humanitarian work in Kenya.

The Eight Presidential Candidates, So Far...

Tue, 08 May 2012 11:03:00 GMT

The Icelandic presidential elections are less than two months away and the race is heating up. For the first time ever it looks like incumbent President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson will be getting a run for his money.

News in Brief: April Edition

Fri, 04 May 2012 14:53:00 GMT

A brief overview of some stories we published on our website since our last issue.

What's Happening On Laugavegur?

Wed, 02 May 2012 10:47:00 GMT

Inspired by urbanist William H. Whyte’s work in New York, a group of young Icelandic architects (plus one music composer and one graphic designer) decided to research city life in Reykjavík.

Harpa As A Symbol Of Iceland's Recovery

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:44:00 GMT

Iceland was recently described as a success story of the economic crisis in a Financial Times article.

Who Rules The Streets?

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:05:00 GMT

After Laugavegur was temporarily closed to traffic last summer, many are wondering whether the experiment will be repeated this year.

The Future Is Here

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:09:00 GMT

When many people hear the words “online gamer,” the image that comes to mind is a socially crippled basement-dweller who is glued to his or her computer and probably hasn’t seen actual sunlight in years.

Davíð Oddsson Told A Joke

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:43:00 GMT

Writer E.B. White—well known for his children's books and co-authoring one of the most famous English language style guides, ‘The Elements of Style’—once wrote the following: "Analysing humour is like dissecting a frog. Few people are interested and the frog dies."

KEEPING IT LEGAL

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:20:00 GMT

Given this increased demand for rental apartments, landlords are reportedly getting away with renting to tenants without going through the proper legal channels, paying taxes or providing a lease.

Katlaaaaarrgghh (Not This Again)!

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:30:00 GMT

What time is it? Time for the annual Katla eruption scare, apparently.

Robbery By Math

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:00:00 GMT

It is the things that we think we understand that inevitably catch us unawares.

ENVISION SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:53:00 GMT

Since the local fish factory in Stöðvarfjörður closed down in 2005 and its 32 employees lost their jobs, the eastern municipality of roughly 200 people has faced a serious decline.

Árbær: Where Lots of Things Are Preserved

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:25:00 GMT

Not long ago, Árbær was merely heathland that walking or horse riding travellers passed through on their way in and out of Reykjavík.

Want To Buy US Dollars?

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 10:45:00 GMT

Maybe you’re travelling to the US, or anywhere else that might accept its currency.

Renting In The Free World

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:42:00 GMT

The rental market in Iceland is historically small and the large majority of Icelanders own their homes today. However, an increasing number of people have turned to renting since the financial crash.

All Tomorrow’s Parties

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 12:42:00 GMT

So, will the Icelandic government survive yet another Grapevine deadline?