Ask An Expert: Why Are There So Few Immigrants In Parliament?
Iceland’s immigrant population—which includes those who are now citizens, capable of voting in parliamentary elections—is over 15%, but this is not reflected in the numbe
Crowded House: Parliamentary Elections In The Pandemic
Correction: Independence Party candidate Viktor Ingi Lorange is, in fact, neither an immigrant nor of foreign extraction, despite his inclusion amongst these candidates. This was a
A Little Old, A Little New And A Fabulous View: Luxury Meets History In The Golden Circle
Your GPS announces you’re nearing your destination. You drive past sheep lazily napping in tufts of luscious moss as rain gently patters your windshield. The buzz of the city beg
Well, You Asked: An American Abroad
Icelanders love to know what others think of Iceland. Well, you asked — and an American newcomer answered. Is living in Reykjavík all it’s cracked up to be? After spending [&h
Lost In Google Translation: Dude, Where’s My Carp?
Imagine you’re laid out, soaking up some rays in the lovely green area of Elliðaárdalur, living your absolute best life when, out of nowhere, the skies darken. You squint throu
Perfect Day: Dr. Bryony Mathew
Dr. Bryony Mathew is the U.K.’s newest (and first female!) Ambassador to Iceland. She holds a PhD in Neuroscience from University College, London and has served under Her Majes
Gods Of Iceland: Víðarr, The One Shoe Wonder
Strengths: One super-powerful Timberland boot. Almost as strong as Þórr. Survives the literal end of the world. Weaknesses: Only has one shoe. Modern Analogue: The overprotective
Just Sayings: Hallærisplanið (“The Cringe Zone” )
This edition of Just Sayings isn’t so much about an Icelandic catchphrase as it is about a cultural institution: Hallærisplanið. Hallærisplanið literally means “the tacky l
Lost In Google Translation: The War Planet Cometh
On the evening of July 2nd, 2021, skies darkened across southwest Iceland. A loud crack reverberated through the sky, shaking the very earth below as a mysterious figure emerged fr
Being Nonbinary: In Iceland And Everywhere
The existence of nonbinary people is gaining slow but steady recognition in many Eurocentric countries—Iceland included. While we celebrate the fact that Iceland officially allow
Ask An Expert: How Were Clothes Symbolically Depicted In The Sagas?
For a modern reader picking up the Sagas of the Icelanders for the first time, they can often be struck by the strange modernity of the prose. However, there are […]
A Life Well Lived: Inside Professor Torfi Tulinius’ Perfect Day
Torfi Tulinius is a professor of Icelandic Medieval Studies at the University of Iceland. He completed his PhD at the Sorbonne in 1992 and has written extensively on the Icelandic
Well, You Asked: A German, To Other Germans
A German answers some questions from Germans. Stupid questions call for stupid answers. But well, you asked… I’m a German tourist and currently in Iceland. I don’t want i
Horror-Scopes: Post-Covid (JK) CALAMITY!
The amateur astrologers of the Grapevine were having a blast in the post-COVID cosmos until Delta struck. But how will you do when this all inevitably ends? The stars speak. [&hell
Gods Of Iceland: Ullr, The Hanoi Rocks Of The Norse Pantheon
Superpowers: Unclear. Presumably super awesome and likeable. Weaknesses: Too awesome and likeable. Modern Analogue: Hanoi Rocks… just read the article. Remember Hanoi Rocks? Man,
The Reykjavík Grapevine’s 8th “Ask Me Anything”
In this, our eighth edition of Grapevine’s Ask Me Anything, Valur Grettisson, editor-in-chief at Reykjavík Grapevine, and culture editor Hannah Jane Cohen, answer questions
The Full Spectrum Of Life: A New Day For Hipsumhaps
Hipsumhaps first made a splash on the Icelandic music scene in 2019 with their first album, ‘Best Gleymdu Leyndarmálin’ (‘Best Forgotten Secrets’), bringing dreamy, guitar
Just Sayings: “Að gera garðinn frægan”
Do you want to be famous? Of course you do. But here’s the real question: Have you made your garden famous? Wait—you don’t have a garden? No worries. It’s not […]
Ask A Scientist: How Does The Midnight Sun Affect The Wildlife Of Iceland?
Travelers tend to revel in the majestic midnight sun of Icelandic summer, but for some it’s not so magical. When the skies aren’t smothered by rain clouds, the incessant sunlig
Lost in Google Translation: Alien Reptoids Taking Over The Local Pools
This is one for all the conspiracists among us. According to RÚV, an exchange of skins and showers is going to happen in the next few days. Whatever that means. […]
Cleaning House: ÚTL, Evictions and Deportations to Greece
Last spring, the Directorate of Immigration (ÚTL) made an executive decision that would thrust the institution into the spotlight of criticism that extended from the general publi