Hressingarskálinn
Hressingarskálinn, or Hressó as it is commonly referred to by the locals, is actually more of a café than a restaurant, although it has surprisingly extensive bistro section. Th
Hlöllabátar
We should make no bones about it, whenever you eat a sandwich and the grease keeps running down your fingers, you know your health is probably best served someplace else. […
Highlights from 2005
Icelandic Government Criticised for Supporting the War in Iraq On 18 March 2003, coalition forces – led primarily by the US and the UK – launched an invasion against Iraq.
Tarantino Imitates Black People in a Movie Theatre
When Quentin Tarantino, America’s great auteur, put on a press conference to explain a short film festival he was putting on in Iceland, the Grapevine was grateful for the opport
“Quentin Tarantino, You Should Work for the Icelandic Tourist Board!”
Quentin Tarantino, appearing on television show Silfur Egils earlier this month, was asked what he intended to tell America about Iceland once he returned home. “Loose women and
Endometriosis:
Cramps. Even the word is a turn off. Women don’t want to think about it. Men don’t want to know. In fact, I’d be surprised if many men continue reading […]
Protesting Kárahnjúkar:
Following the Kárahnjúkar protests of 2005 was anything but boring. The year might have started off with some grumblings between geologists and power company directors, but from
The Drug Trade is Wide Open
/// What inspired you to do investigative reporting on the Icelandic drug culture? – In the beginning, Páll Bragi Kristjánsson, manager of Adult Children of Alcoholics, got in
Letters
I read your magazine, and have often commented on the high level of journalism within its pages. I am however, today, somewhat mortified by the rubbish you have allowed t
Graffiti – A Half a Billion ISK Industry
Deep inside the city’s bureaucracy, a man is concocting a plan. He has been given the task of eradicating graffiti on the walls of Reykjavík. I have spoken to this […]
You Can Worship Your God
One of the most recognisable symbols of Reykjavík is Hallgrímskirkja, a towering concrete church that sits upon one of the highest points of the city, and is clearly visible from
The Moss Revolution
The concert and political movement of January 7th probably won’t be remembered by the date alone, as we have suggested on our cover, but it will be a key moment in Icelandic [&
Taking the Concert of the Decade to Task
The parking lots were packed, the lines were long and security was tight. A foreigner was busy scalping tickets by the entrance queue, and by the backstage door I bore […]
Osushi
Contrary to popular belief, sushi does not actually mean “raw fish”, but rather “with rice.” This was among the many lessons the head sushi chef served my companion and me
small Piece of Iceland on the Screen: Little Trip to Heaven
This winter, Iceland has its pride up on the big screen in Baltasar Kormákur’s Little Trip to Heaven. Celebrated by Fréttablaðið journalist, and former Grapevine editor, Valu
Is the State-Owned Journalist Truly State-Owned?
Known to sniff out BS from a mile away, Kristján Kristjánsson is one of the most respected journalists in Iceland. On January 5th and 6th, Kristján attacked celebrated musician
“Caring About the Natural World Comes Easily”
Margrét Vilhjálmsdóttir is an award-winning actress (Falcons, The Seagull’s Laughter) who has been working mostly in the Icelandic theatre for over ten years. More recently, s
Bringing the Masses into Dissent
Days before the January 7th gig, the Grapevine spoke with concert organiser and talent manager Grímur Atlason. Typically reserved, Grímur is known more as a quiet businessman tha
The Insurgent Farmer
In August 2004, the Reykjavík Grapevine brought you the story of farmer Guðmundur Ármannsson at Vað near Egilsstaðir. At the time, Guðmundur was in a dispute with the Nationa
Jolly Protest Rocker
/// Three bands, three costume changes. I bet that was fun. – It was hectic. Schizophrenic. /// Rass is known for being a political band, yet you didn’t make any […]
Did That Really Happen?:
Nobody knows what to do about Björk when she’s in Iceland: she’s kind of like the 80-pound elephant in the room. You imagine someone is going to gush, someone is […]