Last Words: The Nazis At The Pool
Since moving to Iceland five years ago, I’ve been repeatedly shocked by the racism that exists in this country, and the complacency from Icelanders that enables it to thrive.
Editorial: Exposing Hate
Here is an unpopular opinion, at least among Icelanders: I have a lot of sympathy with the Israeli nation when it comes to the conflict with Hamas. The history is […]
Ask A Physical Chemist: Will Long-Term Climate Change Affect The Northern Lights?
Will long-term climate change affect the Northern Lights? We went straight to Dr. Helgi Rafn Hróðmarsson, a.k.a. The Cosmic Chemist, to find out. Short answer: “No…Wait! Mayb
Well, You Asked: Drop-Kick Your Pylsa Into The Fjord
We at Grapevine like to be here for you, dear readers. That’s why we have this “Well, You Asked…” column, in which we answer the many questions we receive a
What Are Icelanders Talking About?: Hatari, Pregnancy, And Spy Beluga Whales
One of the hottest topics on Icelandic social media right now is Hatari’s arrival in Tel Aviv to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest. There has been strong, sharply-divided op
Farewell! You Black Winter Emperor
It’s official. Summer is here. Of course, the Icelandic summer is always some kind of a mix of grey skies, rain, strong wind and high expectations. But it’s also a […]
Just Sayings: “Úti Að Aka”
So, you’re out driving? That doesn’t sound so bad. Does it? Well, if you are in Iceland, and someone says to you that you are out driving (úti að aka) […]
The First Legend: From Subterranean Origins, Cell7 Is Back
Cell7’s release concert is packed. The energy flows through the crowd, building them up with each verse until brutally releasing them once the song ends. Like a puppet master, sh
The Apolitical Eurovision: Calls For Hatari To Withdraw From Eurovision Intensify
The annual Eurovision Song Contest is right around the corner, and as that fateful date approaches, calls for Hatari to be booted from the competition have grown louder, coming thi
Well You Asked: Hotdogs And Hot Air Baloons
Any tips on how to quickly determine if a familiar face in public (e.g. at the grocery store, pool, restaurant or on the street) is an actual acquaintance or just […]
What Are Icelanders Talking About?
Arguably the most talked-about topic in Icelandic social media these days is the so-called third energy package. In the simplest possible terms, it’s a European Union energy poli
Ask A Marine Ecologist: What Is The Importance Of Whale Poop For The Ocean?
So much of Iceland’s history and a great deal of current controversy revolves around the largest animals on the planet—whales. But did you know that a pound of “whale poop”
Last Words: Why Iceland’s Post Office Is The Actual Worst
Here in Iceland, pretty much everyone hates the postal service. It might seem kind of weird for the entire citizenry feel something between vague annoyance and quivering rage towar
Just Sayings: “Það Liggur Í Augum Uppi”
“Það liggur í augum uppi” (approx. pronounced “thath liggur ee œjum uppy”) is an old and fairly common saying in Iceland. It literally translates to: It lays in
Nature Abhors A Vacuum: In The Wake Of WOW
The Reykjavík Grapevine and most of Iceland have been watching the struggles of WOW Air since last year as it scrambled to find investors. But time ran out in late […]
Open Your Window To The Drama
Living in downtown Reykjavík has its drawbacks. A lot of people who live in the area never get tired of complaining about the noise from drunkards on weekends and the […]
Well, You Asked: Double Duvet Dilemmas
Have a tricky situation? Don’t worry, Grapevine’s advice column is here to help. Why oh why do double duvets exist and how do couples manage to sleep while sharing one? [&helli
Editorial: Enough Of The Overconfident CEO
The Icelandic tourism has been almost unbelievable. Iceland has gone from a couple of hundred thousand tourists to 2.1 million travellers within a decade. This development is one o
Ísafjörður Never Goes South: The award-winning Westfjords festival Aldrei Fór Ég Suður Is back
Since 2004, April means one thing for the people of the Westfjords: the Aldrei Fór Ég Suður music festival. Named after the Bubbi Morthens song of the same name, the […]
Ask A Medieval Historian: Who Wrote Njáls Saga?
Njáls Saga is one the longest of the forty Icelandic sagas written between the 13th and 14th centuries. Many Icelanders can track their heritage to the characters in the sagas. [&
Video: Five Culture Shocks When You Come To Iceland – And How To Deal With Them
Have you been to Iceland and been stared down, not knowing what to think about it? Well, the Culture Department of the Reykjavík Grapevine have some tips and tricks for […]