PMs Take to the Stage to Fight Sexual Violence
The backstage at the City Theatre on March 1st, 2006 wasn’t filled with actresses as usual, but Icelandic parliamentarians performing in the Vagina Monologues. Like other actress
How an Inflated Currency Rate is Chasing off Icelands Smart Economy
Smart economy has long been a buzzword among Icelandic media, politicians and industry leaders. All parties agree that creating conditions where high-tech industry can flourish is
Going the Way of Styx
Not too long ago, a movement known as “progressive rock” began. Starting from the margins of music culture, bands such as Genesis, King Crimson and Yes became considered cuttin
The Modern Viking
It starts with the shoes. Carrie Bradshaw has such amazing shoes, and I look at my box set, in its humorous pink and black shoebox, and think of her shoes. […]
No Apologies to the Centre
Árni Þór Sigurðsson began his career as a journalist for RÚV, working as their Moscow correspondent during the fall of communism. Upon returning home in 1989, he embarked on a
Blogging:
Want to become famous? Try this: Round up a few of your friends, start a web page with random trivia from your daily lives where you write about how totally […]
“Female Writers Were Weird”
Though few foreigners know about her, Vigdís Grímsdóttir is one of the most prominent and prolific contemporary writers of Iceland. For the last two decades, she has captivated
Iceland, Immigrants,
Former Icelandic television personality Guðmundur Steingrímsson, writing a column in Fréttablaðið on 4 February called “Muslims,” once again demonstrated his tendency towa
Letters
Dear Grapevine, 500 Million ISK is a Small Price to Pay While I must admit that much of the graffiti (tagging) in Reykjavik looks more like vandalism than art, there […]
Mayoral Candidates for Reykjavík
Independence Party Vilhjálmur Þ. Vilhjálmsson Current position: Independence Party leader for City Council, board member of Reykjavík City Harbour, board member of the National
Ó Borg Mín Borg
Páll Einarsson (Mayor from 1908-1914.) Reykjavík’s first mayor. Originally the sheriff of Hafnarfjörður, Einarsson ran against city official for the Danish government Knud Zi
GRAPEVINE’S PURCHASES THATJUSTIFY EXISTENCE
Book Sales Currently going on at both Mál og menning and Penninn, where both stores are offering “3 for 2” sales on many Icelandic titles, especially children’s books. One o
It’s One Big Party in Icelandic Journalism:
“We all talked about it, and we all decided that we had to break out from our political prison. It took time, but we succeeded in doing it.” – Kári […]
Our Response
It isn’t free speech that’s the issue. Hatred inspires hatred. In refusing to acknowledge the obvious goal of Flemming Rose and Jyllands-Posten’s attack on a minority group t
No Old Ladies in Dubuque, Please
The feature of this issue is a lengthy interview with Vigdís Grímsdóttir, a cherished Icelandic writer rarely presented to foreigners. In my opinion, she is a throwback to the g
Congratulations Iceland!
I am a big fan of Silvía Nótt. I think she is without a doubt the best we could put on display for the Eurovision Song Contest. It therefore pains […]
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
“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
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
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.
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