2009 In Pictures
These images are from a series titled “Home”. They summon up feelings about a distant idea of home and one that is deteriorating. They are all taken this past summer [&
From Exploding Range Rovers to Knitted Mittens?
‘Iceland is no longer a country. It is a hedge fund.’ —Man from the IMF supposedly speaking to Michael Lewis, Vanity Fair, March 2009. During this past year it seemed [&helli
Still No Reply from British and Dutch
As talks between party chairmen continued yesterday, there has still been no reply from British and Dutch authorities on the possibility of re-negotiation of the Icesave deal. A re
Vote on Increasing Aluminum Plant To be Held
A repeat of a vote that took place in 2007 – on whether or not the Alcan aluminum smelter in Hafnarfjörður can increase in size – will be held, possibly […]
Skap Ofsi Arrested?
Police have arrested a middle-aged man who they suspect is responsible for vandalizing the home of former Kaupþing director Hreiðar Már Sigurðsson. The suspect, described only
Stuff We Like!
It’s damn near unbelievable how many excellent concerts are going on in Reykjavík these days. Ólöf Arnalds, Hildur Guðnadóttir, kimono, Grapevine Grassroots – we&#
MPs Begin PR Campaign Over Icesave
Icelandic MPs are already commencing their information campaigns with other politicians overseas with regards to Icesave. According to Vísir, our MPs intend to travel to Strassbou
Parliament Could Stop Referendum
Although a referendum on the Icesave law has been scheduled, it is still possible for parliament for cancel it at a moment’s notice, even after it has begun, should British [
Lightning Strikes in Iceland
Thunder and lightning – an extremely rare occurrence in Iceland – struck in the southwest portion of the country. Bystanders recorded the event on video, which can be v
Artists Take Their Pick Of Music In 2009
We sorta abhor year-end lists over here at Grapevine HQ. At least when it comes to making them. That has always been a task, and whatever we’ve come up with […]
The Humbling of Iceland
In 2009, Iceland became the poster child of the global economic downturn. The precipitous collapse of Iceland’s banks and the ensuing popular overthrow of the Independence Party-
National Referendum Will Be Held
The Minister of Justice has set an official date for the national referendum on the current Icesave law to be held. By her ruling, it will take place 6 March. […]
Women Encouraged to Run for Office
The Centre for Gender Equality, in cooperation with the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Local Government, has distributed a booklet encouraging women to run for office in
Unemployment Still Under OECD Average
Iceland’s unemployment rate is still under the average unemployment rate for OECD countries, although thousands have been without work for a year or more. While the OECD aver
Standard & Poors Gives Iceland Bleak Outlook; Business Minister Unconcerned
Moritz Kraemer, S&P’s managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, in a telephone interview with Bloomberg, has said that Iceland’s credit risk may rise c
Fears Banks Could Be Covering Their Tracks
Leftist-Green MP and chairman of the Business Committee Lilja Mósesdóttir believes Icelandic banks could be trying to cover up mistakes and wrong-doings they made before the econ
Iceland Sends 233 Tons of Water to Haiti
Jón Ólafsson, owner of the bottled water company Icelandic Glacial, has sent 233 tons of water (in 400,000 individual bottles) to those in need in Haiti. The water will be [&hell
2K9 Round Up Bonanza Extravaganza Madness!
As 2009 drew to a close, Grapevine flipped through its stuffed contacts list and sent out a bunch of e-mails, made a bunch of calls, to people we thought could […]
Iceland’s Year in Politics
This past year in Iceland has probably been most memorable on the political front. The usual stories that get us international headlines—whaling, music, anything about green ener
Icesave Consensus Could be Nearing
As chairmen of Iceland’s political parties continue rounds of talks on an almost daily basis, the government now waits for an answer from British and Dutch authorities on whe
Ruling Coalition: Wiser to Avoid Referendum and Re-Negotiate
In recent statements to the press, both Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir and Minister of Finance Steingrímur J. Sigfússon have said that they believe it a better option t