Wormlust: Seven Paths
Everybody and their mother are talking about atmospheric black metal these days. Sure enough, there’s a tidal wave of bands trying to get their piece of the pie, by throwing
Haraldur Jónsson
“I have been exploring the space between the senses,” artist Haraldur Jónsson says when asked what his current work is focused on. He is without doubt one of Grapevine’s fav
The Essence Of Iceland
There is certainly no lack for photographic coffee table books in the spectrum of Icelandic publications. Generally aimed at tourists and Icelandophile types, these books tend to s
The Guiding Light
Slightly off the beaten path, or at least off the path that I tend to beat, at the corner of Vitastígur and Bergþórugata (not near anything resembling a light house, […]
Reykjavík Needs Rockabilly!
One thing that has always puzzled me about the music scene in Reykjavík is the unfortunate lack of rockabilly. I know there are a handful of crusaders carrying the rebel […
Estonia to Thank Iceland in a Big Way
Estonia is preparing for the 20th anniversary of their declaration of independence by planning to host a festival honoring Iceland, the first country to recognize their sovereignty
Mayor’s “White Collar Prison” Idea Unrealistic
Incoming mayor Jón Gnarr’s idea for building a “white collar prison” is unrealistic, mostly due to a lack of understanding of how the prison system works, conten
32 Billion ISK in Budget Cuts
According to parliament’s budget bill, approximately 32 billion ISK will be cut from spending next year, and an additional 11 billion ISK will be coming in. Sources close to
I Am Never Drinking Again!
You’ve said it. I’ve said it. We’ve all fucking said it. But let’s face it; we are both drinking a cold one right now. There is nothing worse than a […]
Tourists On The Street
We stopped to interview some lucky tourists on the street to see why they chose to visit Iceland. The following people graciously complied to dish out the details of their [&hellip
Grapevine Shows Some Love
We are generally inspired by Iceland and the stuff going on here. We wanted to bring y’all the good news happening in our fair country and why we love living […]
Joke Party Wins Elections in Reykjavík
In the weeks leading up to the municipal elections, it seemed no one was interested. The media took almost no notice of the elections—candidates had great problems getting attent
Toll Booths Coming to Reykjavík
Toll booths will soon appear for the first time in Reykjavík, on three major roadways leading to and from the capital. Three roads – Suðurlandsvegur, Vesturlandsvegur and R
EU Membership Talks on 17 June – Despite Conservative Objections
Talks on whether and how to bring Iceland into the European Union will take place among EU leaders on 17 June – which is, coincidentally, Iceland’s independence day. Ac
Twenty Icelanders Have Had Gender Corrective Surgery
20 Icelanders have undergone the medical procedure of correcting their gender, but Anna Kristjánsdóttir – the first Icelander to undergo the procedure – believes doct
Union Reacts Strongly to China Deal
The Confederation of Icelandic Labor Unions (ASÍ) voiced strong criticism to the idea of bringing in Chinese labor for Landsvirkjun projects. Chinese officials are currently in Ic
The Icelandic Poetry Community
A reader recently asked, by way of my editor, that I share a few words on the Icelandic poetry community. My first response was a long-winded, athletic “boooooooring” while I [
A Spectre Is Haunting Iceland
The “Magma-Deal” has caused fierce discussion, confusion and perplexion in the last months. Canadian-cum-Swedish company Magma Energy acquired shares in HS Orka, and thus attai
Iceland Can’t Afford to Pay Icesave
Dutch financial guru Bert Heemskerk told reporters in Holland that he doesn’t believe Iceland will ever be able to fully repay deposits lost in the defunct online bank Icesav
“Out of the Question” to Cap Public Employee Salaries
The labor union Federation of State and Municipal Employees (BSRB) told state broadcasting service RÚV that Minister of Social Affairs Árni Páll Árnason’s proposed salary