Issue_5_2014
Most read
Latest
-
Icelandic Ingredients, International Execution
The Fish Company is one of a number of relatively new restaurants focusing on fresh local ingredients and the best possible international twists to showcase them. The restaurant is located in a beautifully refurbished basement next to the Reykjavík Art Museum with…
-
Homeward Bound
In 2007, Iceland’s economy was still in its pre-crash boom days, cruising along to an eventual 4.9% GDP growth rate. Eiríkur Hauksson, the country’s Eurovision ambassador, failed to qualify for the final round of the contest entirely. “Eyjafjallajökull” was not yet an…
-
By Immigrants, For Immigrants
Barbara Jean Kristvinsson, a counsellor with the city’s Human Rights Office, knows from experience how difficult it can be to get accurate information when you move to a new country. Barbara came to Reykjavík from the United States in 1991 and remembers…
-
Lemúrinn: Thorarinn Gunnarsson: Iceland’s Forgotten Sci-Fi Superstar
With powerful AI-controlled ships, the Starwolves have been defending the Republic against the numerically superior but technically inferior Union forces, a decidedly one-sided battle that has lasted for centuries. However, that may soon change. The commander of the Union forces is drafting…
-
Icelandic Punkers Grow Old Gracefully
Punk rock faced the same problem everywhere. Whereas rock music grew up and became the soundtrack of Western capitalism, punkers could only either die or become a joke. Sid Vicious did the former, while his former bandmate Johnny Rotten opted for the…
-
I Occasionally Do Drugs But I´m Fine
Dear Grapevine, I’m an Icelandic male in my early thirties. I’ve been married two years and my wife and I rent an apartment in central Reykjavík. I graduated from a well-known design institution in a major European city. I used to work…
-
Election Poll Roundup: The Candidates On Immigration Issues
For the benefit of voters, especially immigrants who have resided in Iceland for at least five years (three if they are from a Nordic country), candidates convened to inform the public about their party’s immigration policies for the May 31 municipal elections.The…
-
“If You Milk It Long Enough”
The all new “ELVIS PRESLEY – ON STAGE” music experience kicked off its tour here in Reykjavík on the last day of winter—April 23. I just want to start this review by saying that I’ve been a big fan of Elvis since…
-
So What’s This Christmas Tree I Keep Hearing About?
Every year since 1951 the city of Oslo has presented the city of Reykjavík with a goddamn enormous spruce tree, which is erected every year in the square in front of the parliament building a few weeks before Christmas. As well as…
-
Brighter Days Ahead
First things first, we’d like to thank Phédre, Ken Park, Nolo and everybody who showed up for our summer celebration at KEX on May 3. The hostel was crammed with exciting music, people and good vibes. Thank you! With that out of…
-
The Chief Of Reykjavík
I clearly remember the day, just over a year ago, when I first saw the Reykjavík bookmobile (bókabíll) parked on a side street in my secluded seaside neighbourhood. So incongruous was this enormous bright blue city bus covered with whimsical illustrations of…
-
The Great Reykjavík Beer Heist Of 2014
Iceland is not known for having an especially strict code of social etiquette. There are, however, a few rules that you just don’t break. Three Grapevine interns and I learned one of these rules the hard way, embarrassing ourselves at our first…
-
News In Brief
We’re #1! We’re #1! At what, you ask? Did Iceland finally win Eurovision? No—that hasn’t happened yet (and honestly, our chances aren’t so good). At the Crossfit Games? No, that hasn’t happened yet (although Icelandic contenders, including two-time winner Anníe Mist, represent…