SAFETY UNLEASHED: An Idiot’s Guide To Avoiding Accidents, Mishaps, And Certain Death In Iceland
Iceland may be one of the safest countries in the world, but it is definitely not a safe island. Since the settlement era, the history of Iceland is nothing if […]
The Clash Of Simplicity
Ever since the global economic meltdown, a vitriolic tide of populism has arisen around the world to ensnare and beguile people. Iceland, of course, is no exception. The rhetoric i
Islamophobia Is Here!
I had been waiting for it to show up in Iceland for a long time—or, more accurately, dreading the inevitability of it. It already had a stronghold in Europe, and […]
Iceland Is Getting Older
Growing old isn’t easy in any country in the world. As a person leaves the workforce, their available prospects for survival could range from a comfortable retirement to abject s
Scandalous, Iceland Style
There are a lot of variations on what qualifies as a political scandal across the world, and Iceland has its own tortuously putrid version. I was raised in the US, […]
The Unraveling Of A Government: The Panama Papers And Iceland
In March, Anna Sigurlaug Pálsdóttir, the wife of (now former) Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, posted a status update on Facebook that seemed to come out of nowhere
The Word Of The Issue: Nenna
The Word of the Issue this issue is nenna. This is a very important Icelandic word to learn. As a verb, it means “to have the will to do something,” […]
This Issue’s Issue: Tax Shelters – For & Against
FOR: It’s my money, god damn it. A lot of people worked hard to get that money into my bank account. And they probably already paid taxes on it. Why […]
The Hot Button: Offshore Tax Shelters
The Hot Button issue this issue is offshore tax shelters. This subject has been very prominent in the headlines lately, as it has come to light that the wife of […]
Don’t Ask Nanna: About The Panama Papers
Hey Nanna, I’ve been following the protests online and can’t stop wondering – what’s with all the people holding bananas and putting bananas on picket signs
The Ghost Of Sigmundur Davíð
It’s the age of the crowd. Events, leaders, history. Nothing escapes it. Everything is instantly consumed by the ever-expanding crowd. The crowd’s dialogue with the world is bo
Security Theatre Comes To Iceland
After the tragic events which unfolded in Brussels last Tuesday, many European authorities have taken the opportunity to tap into growing xenophobic sentiment – in particular
Crime, Sex And Milk: Talking “Trapped” With Ólafur Darri
After hitting UK shores earlier this year in all its subtitled glory, Baltasar Kormákur’s Trapped (Ófærð) has quickly become the most internationally successful Icelandic TV
Anonymous Speaks: “Thank You Very Much, Mr. Loftsson”
One of the most controversial practices Iceland engages in on the international stage is whale hunting. The industry has seemed virtually unstoppable, even in the face of internati
Iceland For Everyone
For the first time in history the wonders of Iceland are on global display. Tourism has taken top spot for growth and in overall contribution to the economy, and shows […]
How To Write Iceland’s Most Popular TV Show, “Trapped.”
Trapped (Ófærð) is an Icelandic crime television series that has aired in France (France 2), Germany (ZDF), Norway (NRK1), Great Britain (BBC) and Ireland (RTÉ 2), with the Am
Blood, Sweat And Tackles – A Roller Derby Girl’s Diary
When I landed on Icelandic soil last autumn, I had really heavy hand luggage with me — it was in fact way too heavy (but fortunately no one checked). I […]
Donald Trump Should Be President Of Iceland
No thinking person could support Trump being the President of the United States–excluding extreme cynics or apocalyptic day-dreamers. The United States needs a President th
BDSM, Sexual Orientation, And Prejudice
Recent news of BDSM in Iceland joining up with the National Queer Organisation should have been a non-controversy. While for the most part, a great many people did welcome the [&he
Does The Parliament Ignore The Sovereignty Of The Icelandic Nation?
In the history of constitutions across the world, America has had a unique place: Ours was the first constitution ratified by the people in convention. But Iceland has now done [&h
Word Of The Issue: Svefngalsi
In this space, we talk about Icelandic words for which there is no ready English equivalent, or just sound better than their English counterparts. The word of this issue is [&helli