ART AND CULTURE IN ICELAND
Iceland’s unique nature, close-knit population and entrepreneurial spirit have contributed to a dynamic, original cultural scene. From ancient sagas to award-winning films, Icelanders are typically writers, actors, composers, designers, painters, sculptors and eclectic creative groups. Many locals have “creative” jobs, and many don’t sing in choirs, play instruments, write poetry, design clothes, knit, or have no other outlet for their creative energy.
– Here you can take a look at the cultural scene in Iceland.
ARCHITECTURAL MONUMENTS OF REYKYAVIK
Architecture might not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning your days in Reykjavik, but the following attractions might make you take a look.
It is difficult to touch the “Icelandic” architecture. Icelandic architects often went abroad to study, forcing them to return to a range of styles and traditions to leave their mark on the landscape. Reykjavik is a collage of styles.
Gujon Samuelsson (1887-1950)
The state architect Goodhon designed, among other things, the first public swimming pool
Many important buildings were designed by the country’s first state architect, Gudyon Samuelson (1887-1950). Gujon studied housing in Copenhagen before returning to Iceland in 1915. In the same year, a fire broke out in Reykjavik, destroying many buildings in the city center. Gujon was later commissioned to design many of the city’s most important buildings. After the fire, it became clear that the Norwegian-style wooden houses were too flammable, so cement emerged as the best material for many of these buildings.
The supreme work of Gujon Samuelsson
Hallgrímskirkja , named after the Icelandic poet and priest Hallgrímur Petursson (1614-1674), is a 74.5 meter high Lutheran church, the largest church in Iceland. Gujon Samuelsson designed the church, which was commissioned in 1937, inspired by the surrounding Expressionist landscape, which was popular in Denmark at the time. It can be easily seen from anywhere in Reykjavik, which is a very useful landmark for navigating the small capital.
Another church designed by Gujon that is a landmark is Landakotskirkya . Landakootskirkja, officially known as the Basilica of Krists konungs, is the cathedral of the Catholic Church in Iceland, finally consecrated in 1929 after many years of construction. Its neo-Gothic design is unforgettable.
The National Theater of Iceland was designed by Gujon Samuelsson in 1950. The Gothic, sinister architecture combines inspiration from Icelandic basalt columns with Art Deco elements seen on the window sills.
GOVERNMENT BUILDING
Parliament of Alingi, still headed by the Danish Crown
Stjórnarráðið, the Prime Minister’s Office, is located near the port, across from Harpa. The building was first built as a prison in 1759 by order of King Frederick V of Denmark. After Iceland gained independence from Denmark, all of the country’s ministries were housed in the house! Since 1996, the building has served exclusively as the official residence of the Prime Minister.
All government was once housed in the Prime Minister’s office
On Austurvellur Square is the Icelandic Parliament building, Alþingishúsið, which houses 63 MPs. The building was designed by Danish architect Ferdinand Meldale in 1881 and is made of hewn basalt. Alþingishúsið housed various Icelandic institutions at different times, such as the National Library, National Gallery and University of Iceland from 1911 to 1940. New glass extension since 2002.
ARTISTIC AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS
The Einar Jonsson Sculpture Museum is a hidden architectural gem
Located opposite the University of Iceland, Nordic House organizes cultural events and exhibitions related to the Scandinavian countries. The house was designed by the famous Finnish modernist Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) and bears most of Aalto’s hallmarks as all the furniture inside the building was also designed by him. The house is one of his later works, completed in 1968, and has an ultramarine blue ceramic roof that takes an organic form from the mountain range in the background. The extensive use of tiles, wood and white plaster throughout the building is also part of the corporate design.
Sculptor Asmundur Sveinsson (1893–1982) designed Asmundarsafn , where he also lived and worked, during three phases of construction that took place in 1942, 1946 and 1955–59. The museum is now part of the Reykjavik Art Museum. The building is surrounded by sculptures by Swanson in the garden, both his early figures and his later abstract compositions. Sveinsson’s work is exhibited in the museum along with works by other contemporary artists.
Veröld on the University of Iceland campus marks a new Scandinavian style
The Einar Johnson Museum was designed by Icelandic sculptor Einar Johnson (1874-1954). Thus, the building can be considered his greatest sculpture, which was also his studio, gallery and home. In 1909, Einar offered all of his works as gifts to the Icelanders, provided that a museum was built for them. Architect Einar Erlendsson officially signed the plans for the museum in 1916. The museum officially opened in 1923 and was the country’s first art museum.
LATEST ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS
The Harpa Concert Hall took four years to build
Harpa Concert Hall is home to the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra and Opera with a variety of cultural events and concerts throughout the year. The building, constructed between 2007 and 2011 during the infamous banking disaster, was designed by Danish Henning Larsen Architects in collaboration with Icelandic Batteriid Architects. The facade was created by Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson , inspired by natural basalt columns found in the Icelandic landscape. Harpa has received numerous awards for its design and architecture. Inside greet the visitors.
Essentially, Perlan consists of four water tanks with a rotating dome
Pearl is a rotating glass-domed museum on Oskulid Hill overlooking Reykjavik. The building consists of six water tanks that store 24 million liters of hot water in Reykjavik. Architect Ingimundur Sveinsson designed the building in 1991 and renovated the hot water tanks that have stood on Oskulid since the mid-20th century with their characteristic glass dome. Now there are cafes, restaurants and the Wonders of Iceland nature exhibition.
Swans manage the city pond, but local politicians can also be there
Reykjavik City Hall was a controversial building in the late 1990s. Built at the northern end of the city pond, critics say the tall concrete structure contrasts with the small wooden houses nearby. After the completion of the building in 1994, the place was accepted as welcoming with the proper authority. The ground floor is open to the public and contains a huge 3D map of Iceland.
ART AND CULTURE IN ICELAND
For a population of 360,000, Iceland has an enormous creative output. It is noteworthy that this work is not limited to one scene, but thrives and is fruitful in many disciplines. Some of the most innovative contemporary artists come from Iceland – and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
WHAT MOVES ISLAND’S CREATIVITY?
As the population is small, many attest to this creativity through the ease of creating a network on a smaller scale with less separation between cultural organizers. Less division within the community also generally creates a less hierarchical society and consequently a greater awareness of those in power about how to cultivate culture. Although culture is their top priority and greatest asset, it is still undisputed that the government provides many opportunities for prosperity for both Icelandic and Icelandic-based foreign artists.
Although the natural landscape is extremely inspirational for both locals and tourists, and many believe it to be the source of this creativity, there are many other factors. In Iceland, for example, creativity is encouraged from an early age, with plenty of opportunities both at school and at home to practice arts and crafts (especially knitting). Schools are also free and focus on games and research. The atmosphere and general attitude of openness and independence correlate strongly with creativity. However, the main factor that most supports great creativity and culture is a society where basic needs are present.
EXHIBITION SPACES
In the visual arts, the many spaces that lead to such thriving activities are evident in the wide variety of spaces that play an important role in artistic conversations on the island. The center of all this activity naturally takes place in the cultural capital of Reykjavik. In addition to the Museum of Photography , Reykjavik has three municipal art museums: Hafnarhus , Kjarvalstadir and Asmundarsafn . There are also independent galleries such as BERG Contemporary , í8 Gallery , Habinger , Wind and Weather Window Gallery, and other spaces run by artists. Across the country you’ll also find open-air installations run by local communities, as well as exhibition spaces run by artists in more rural areas. Many of these rural art spaces have transformed fish factories, storage tanks, and other derelict spaces into thriving creative hubs. The cultural capital of the north also has a large Akureyri Art Museum as well as smaller galleries that offer you a unique local art scene.
BOOKS
The city of Reykjavik cultivates the city’s literary heritage, which has led to the city being recognized as a UNESCO City of Literature . Known as the nation of bookworms, Iceland has one of the highest rates of books per capita: 3.5 books per 1,000 people and the highest number of authors per capita in the world. In Reykjavik alone, more than 30 publishers participate in both the annual Reykjavik International Literary Festival and the Reykjavik Book Fair. retreat of Icelandic writersargues that one reason Iceland is home to so many writers is the influence of Sagas, masterpieces of medieval European prose that have been part of the canon of knowledge with which every Icelander grows for hundreds of years. There is also the phenomenon of the Christmas book flood – jólabókaflóð – when publishers bring out hundreds of new titles and Icelandic authors take the spotlight. Books are also a very popular Christmas gift and offer long winters to immerse yourself in the latest voices in Icelandic literature.
MUSIC
Iceland has long been known for its vibrant music scene and tremendous creative output. World-renowned musicians such as Björk, Of Monsters and Men, Sigur Ross, Asgeir, Emiliana Torrini, múm, Kaleo, Olafur Arnalds and Gus Gus, and composers such as Hildur Gudnadottir, Vikingur Heydar and Anna Pewsogra have all played a role in building Reykjavik’s reputation as a unique place to enjoy live music.
This placement of Icelandic bands on the international music scene seemed to inspire more Icelanders to experiment with more bands than ever and also saw an increase in music festivals. The fertile music scene is explained by the general attitude towards experiments and easy communication in the community. The Icelandic writer and ecologist Andri Sner Magnason also spoke of the prerequisite for a “minority complex” resulting from the former colonial rule of the small island state. Paradoxically, it is this “minority complex” where the world expects nothing of you that makes you want to be truly cultural.
PARTIES
Iceland offers festivals throughout the year. Some of them are associated with local traditions, while others are huge festivals that attract thousands of visitors. The seasonal light provides a backdrop to avoid sleeping under the midnight sun all night. For music lovers, there is Secret Solstice music festival, Iceland Airwaves music festival , Aldrei fór ég suður rock music festival, Innipukinn festival and Dark Music Days . For lovers of art and design, there is Reykjavik Culture Night , Reykjavik Art Festival, Sequences real-time arts festival and DesignMarch . For film lovers there is Reykjavik International Film Festival (RIFF) .
HOLLYWOOD ATTRACTIONS OF ICELAND
Batman and James Bond have at least one thing in common: they were both filmed at the foot of the Swinafelsjökudl glacier.
Another interesting fact: “Arrow Mountain” from “Game of Thrones” is known locally as Kirkjufell. You can climb it.
Over the past decade, Iceland has emerged as a major (shooting) destination for Hollywood, a development helped in part by the Icelandic government’s excellent compensation system to attract major film studios to the country.
THANK YOU WALTER MITTY!
The film team works in fake Afghanistan for the film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. © 20th Century Fox
Ben Stiller, director of the 2013 blockbuster The Secret Life of Walter Mitty , was one of the first to discover that Iceland has a comprehensive location. The scenes, which will take place in Afghanistan, were filmed on an abandoned Breidamerkursandur, and the film even uses the Vatnajökull glacier to depict the Greenland ice cap.
The scene in which the main character, Walter Mitty, drives down a winding road down the valley was filmed in Seidisfjördur in eastern Iceland. The scene where Walter visits a large waterfall in Nepal was filmed at Skogafoss, an easily accessible waterfall in southern Iceland.
Several films are like Walter Mitty, but the film showed Hollywood the extent of the possibilities in Iceland. Director Christopher Nolan, who shot Batman’s The Beginning (2005) and Interstellar (2014) in southern Iceland, says Iceland is one of the few places in the world where two or three very different, extreme images can be captured in a matter of minutes Miles.
FAMOUS ATTRACTIONS
Due to the budgetary advantages of being close to the capital, most of the filming locations are in southern Iceland, where Vatnajökudl National Park comes first.
Swinafelsjokudl Glacier, near Route 1 over a bumpy gravel road, first appeared as a ‘Hollywood Glacier’ after the opening scene of the James Bond film Die Another Day . Since then, the ice has receded, and while it’s still impressive, the last documented production was for Season 2 of Game of Thrones.
From the GoT set? No! Just Mount Kirkjufell in winter clothes
Game of Thrones makes up about ten percent of Iceland. Sights such as Dimmuborgir and Skogafoss provide the backdrop to the fictional world of fire and ice. After the scenic mountain of Kirkjufell was first featured at the fair, visitor numbers in a once pristine location skyrocketed. Today it is said to be the most photographed mountain in Iceland.
THIS VILLAGE IS ON NETFLIX
The success of Icelandic series, particularly on Netflix, has drawn the attention of remote towns and villages. Siglufjordur’s crime drama Trapped boosted the tourism economy of the beautiful northern town, and Katla’s anti-utopia of 2021 highlighted Vic’s proximity to Iceland’s most famous volcano.
Sea stacks of Vik are the background in the Katla series. © Lily Jones
But few have benefited more than Gusavik. The north coast city of 2,000 was the focus of Eurovision Song Contest: Saga of the Fire and had an Oscar-nominated song named after the city. Locals took the opportunity to open the first history museum dedicated to the Eurovision Song Contest, a year after the film premiered on Netflix. This is next to the JaJa DingDong restaurant!
ALIEN PLANETS AND APOCALYPTIC EARTH
Iceland’s landscape is often used to depict extraterrestrial planets, and Ridley Scott’s prequel to the Prometheus alien franchise was partially filmed in northern Iceland. The dramatic opening scene was filmed from Dettifoss Falls, Europe’s largest waterfall, as an afterlife scene in which an alien stands over the waterfall before falling into the water below. Dettifoss is part of the diamond disc.
Watching the sky in the film “Northern Sky” captured with frozen fingers
The latest post-apocalyptic storyline is the Netflix film Northern Sky , directed by George Clooney, who also starred as a lone arctic scientist. Clooney and his team spent 15 days shooting atmospheric scenes on the Skálafellsjökull glacier, the outlet of the mighty Vatnajökull in the southeast. This is a place that can only be enjoyed on screen.
The 1985 James Bond film A Look at Murder became the first blockbuster featuring Iceland.
JUNE 17 CELEBRATES NATIONAL DAY
Iceland seceded from Denmark in 1944, and since then the nation has celebrated its independence on June 17, the birthday of freedom fighter Jon Sigursson.
Today, that celebration is a light version of nationalist fervor. The main ceremony takes place in Austurwallur Square in Reykjavik , near the Alingi Parliament, with a speech by the Prime Minister and a parade led by a Boy Scout movement (there are no troops in Iceland, remember).
Some cities celebrate in sports centers to avoid the wet June weather that has characterized the day since the historic 1944 ceremony, which guests remembered as a torrential downpour.
This is a day of national costumes, especially for women
At that time, Iceland had been a sovereign state for two decades. However, this sovereign treaty of 1918 left foreign affairs and defense in the hands of Denmark, as did Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
The agreement with Denmark called for a vote for full independence in 1944, and when the day came only 377 people, a small percentage, voted to remain in the Kingdom of Denmark. Voter turnout was 98.4 percent, and 100 percent in two constituencies.
Completely separate from Denmark, the King of Denmark was no longer the head of state of Iceland. The Republic of Iceland would meet and greet other heads of state headed by its own President.
Politically, the milestone of sovereignty in 1918 was a much bigger victory. But it happened in December. Celebrating outdoors with balloons, makeup and flags is difficult this time of year!
Jon Sigursson’s birthday (1811-1879), a 19th-century politician who defined Iceland’s statehood, was a better day to celebrate.
Birthday boy Jon Sigurdsson poses for a photo in Copenhagen
Jon was born in Hrafnseir in the Westfjords but moved to Copenhagen as a student. He was a prolific academic but never received a degree. It was absorbed by Iceland’s independence.
Freedom fighters based their arguments on romantic nationalism. They wanted to restore Alinga’s Parliament to the original Thingvellir site while the pragmatic Ion in Reykjavik held out as a site.
The bronze statue of Jonah is appropriately placed in front of Parliament, towering over the crowd on June 17th.
THE SOUND OF ISLANDS
When the alternative rock band The Sugarcubes became an unexpected international sensation in the late 1980s, their lead singer, going by the name of Guðmundsdóttir , garnered praise in the foreign media. She later left the band and became a solo artist under her own name: Bjork.
Björk is still Iceland’s most famous musician, but since her debut she has won an incredible number of bands and musicians: Sigur Rós , Of Monsters and Men , Ásgeir , Ólafur Arnalds , Vikingur Olafsson and Kaleo .
The famous Harpa concert hall, which houses a symphony orchestra .
REASON ONE: SMALL REIKYAVIK
The capital of Iceland, Reykjavik, is a place where you can start exploring the birth of a powerful music scene.
Reykjavik is small enough to work with everyone, often to make a living in a small market: a singer from one group sings along with another, and a classically trained musician may work with a rap band.
Easy connections are often facilitated by a small network of government-sponsored music schools that are open to students regardless of their economic background.
MUSIC FESTIVAL
Icelandic music tourism has also played an important role in bringing information about local bands to a global audience. Due to its location between North America and Europe, Iceland is an ideal place to spread information on both sides of the Atlantic.
More than a dozen festivals are held throughout the year in various locations around the capital, and even more in rural areas. While Iceland Airwaves is certainly the largest and most well-known, it’s not the only one with an international reach: Secret Solstice takes place in the middle of summer, and Dark Music Days are dedicated to composers and classical music.
Secret solstice in Reykjavik, under the midnight sun
WHERE TO MAKE MUSIC IN REYKYAVIK
To see what’s going on in Reykjavik, visit the Tix ticketing platform and Reykjavík Grapevine Free Round-Trip events .
Most major concerts are usually held in the famous Harpa Music Hall , where the National Symphony Orchestra works.
Weekends have live music downtown, like Kex Hostel , Húrra and Dillon to name a few.
On Wednesday there are concerts in the Blue Church in Seidisfjordur
… AND FOR REIKYAVIK
In the summer, it’s relatively easy to catch a prominent Icelandic group touring around towns and cities. Check local listings; Concerts are usually held in local restaurants. In Akureyri, the northern capital, Græni hatturinn is a lively live music venue for Icelandic pop and rock music.
Singer and songwriter Asgeir grew up in Laugarbakki village
Local churches are also places for muted music. The church in Seidisfjordur hosts concerts on Wednesday evenings in July-August, and Skalholt church is a renowned venue for instrumentalists and choirs.
Famous festivals include the Bræðslan , an abandoned fish factory in Borgarfjörður, and the Easter weekend Aldrei fór ég suður in Ísafjörður.
In the meantime, here ‘s some homework for Spotify listeners .
INTRODUCTION TO THE ICELANDIC LANGUAGE
Have you ever tried to come up with a word that describes “heavy snowfall with large flakes occurring with light winds”? It’s a Hundlappadrif.
Icelandic is a dialect of Old Norse: the Pan-Scandinavian language of the settlement of Iceland 1150 years ago. But over the centuries, this common Scandinavian language became Norwegian, Swedish and Danish as local kings tightened their grip or lost invasions. Icelanders, on the other hand, have kept the language alive by inventing stories known as Icelandic Sagas.
HISTORY OF THE ICELANDIC LANGUAGE
Icelandic, like many other languages, was transmitted orally before being extant at an impressively early date, around 1100 AD. At least this is the oldest surviving Icelandic text that has been found. From the 12th century, world-famous Icelandic sagas and whirlwinds were written in Old Icelandic.
Due to Iceland’s isolated location in the North Atlantic, the language has easily survived over the centuries and has evolved little.
Few nations have the privilege of reading and understanding such an ancient text without special knowledge of the language. For example, modern English speakers will have difficulty reading the opening lines of the 12th-century poem Layamon’s Brut, which is written in Middle English: An preost wes on leoden; Layamon wes ihoten. / he wes Leouenaðes sone; liđe him beo Drihten ». On the contrary, most Icelanders can, with modest assumptions, read sagas written at about the same time.
PRESERVATION OF THE ICELANDIC LANGUAGE
It’s clear that with such a unique history, great effort goes into preserving the Icelandic language. While it may seem old-fashioned to stop the language from evolving, many real-world threats from digital technology and social media encourage the adoption of English words, bypassing their complex inflectional grammar. Visitors will surely notice the generational difference in the way things are said.
To keep this under control, there are official committees at the Arnie Magnusson Institute for Icelandic Studies that invent new Icelandic words for new technologies that don’t have a name in Icelandic. Most of these committees focus on a specific area, such as medicine or tourism, but tradition in some parts explains why adoption of words in Icelandic is less common than in other languages. For example, the telephone is called teléfono in Spanish, t éléphone in French and Tel efon in German, but it’s also in Icelandic, an old word meaning ‘long thread’.
The Icelandic Naming Committee also decides which names are allowed and which are not for new Icelanders. Decisions are based on the fact that the name can be combined with a grammatical inversion. There are no names with the C symbol, as C is not listed in the Icelandic alphabet. While this may seem Orwellian, the intentions are good.
ICELANDIC GRAMMAR
The city of Reykjavik maintains its literary heritage, culminating in UNESCO recognition of the City of Literature . Known as the nation of bookworms, Iceland has one of the highest rates of books per capita: 3.5 books per 1,000 people and the highest number of authors per capita in the world. More than 30 publishers in Reykjavik alone participate in both the annual Reykjavik International Literary Festival and the Reykjavik Book Fair. retreat of Icelandic writersargues that one reason Iceland is home to so many writers is the influence of Sagas, masterpieces of medieval European prose that have been part of the canon of knowledge with which every Icelander grows for hundreds of years. There is also the phenomenon of the Christmas book flood – jólabókaflóð – when publishers bring out hundreds of new titles and Icelandic authors take the spotlight. Books are also a trendy Christmas gift, offering long winters to immerse yourself in the latest voices in Icelandic literature.
RESOURCES FOR LEARNING THE ICELANDIC LANGUAGE
Although the best advice for learning a language is immersion, even that is becoming increasingly difficult as English is so widely spoken across the country. Many great podcasts are a good starting point for learning a language. If you want to start over, check out the Saga Thing , organized by two medieval literature professors who take turns reading and critically reviewing the sagas. There is also this Icelandic Literature Podcast organized by the Center for Icelandic Literature. If you are in Reykjavik and want somewhere to practice, one option is Reykjavik City Library, Borgarbokasafn . There are free Icelandic practice meetings for everyone who wants to practice their Icelandic language skills with word games organized by librarians.
ART IN NATURE
Those visiting Iceland who love good art should check out these eleven outdoor art installations.
Great Loon, in bronze
Geirfugl Olof Nordal @mbl
Geirfugl (Great Loon) by Olef Nordal, the most famous Icelandic artist plumber. Geirfugl is a life size aluminum sculpture depicting a now extinct bird. The sculpture is located on a rock in Skierjafjordur bay (near Reykjavik domestic airport), its body appears and disappears with the tide. The public sculpture was created as a memorial to the last pair of great awks shot in 1844 for a high selling price.
Geothermal foot bath
Kvika by Ólöf Nordal is just a short walk along the Celtiarnarnes Peninsula from Geirfugl. This public installation takes the form of a geothermal foot bath. Visitors are invited to kick off their shoes and sit in a sculpture bowl and gaze at Mount Essa across the bay.
Tussock times ten
Þúfa von Olof Nordal @mbl
Þúfa by Ólöf Nordal can be reached by continuing along the coastal path from Kvika. The Icelandic word ‘þúfa’ means bumps, but this 8-metre-tall grassy mound is hardly a small weed. Consisting of 4,500 tons of grass-covered gravel, it is one of the largest works of art ever created in Iceland. At the top of the hill is a hut where harðfiskur (dried fish) is prepared and a beautiful view of the harbour.
Yoko Ono Friedensturm
Videy Island also has the Yoko Ono Imagine Peace Tower. A source of longing from which rays of light emanate, the public installation was conceived as a beacon of peace around the world and dedicated to the late artist partner John Lennon. “IMAGINE THE WORLD” is written on the fountain in 24 different languages.
The Tower of Peace is illuminated every year on October 9th, John Lennon’s birthday
Reykjaviks Skulpturengarten
Ásmundarsalur Gallery is housed in a building designed in the 1930s by sculptor Asmundur Swanson, who used it as an artist’s studio. It used to be an art school that hosted many early avant-garde events by Icelandic artists. Today Ásmundarsalur is a non-profit space focused on all forms of art and design. Sculptures by Asmund Swanson can be found around the museum.
Come to Twisongur. sing now
The sound sculpture Tvísöngur by German artist Lucas Kühne is a “sound sculpture” for a specific location. Located near the small artists’ village of Seidisfjördur in East Iceland, it’s always open and just a short walk away. Five different-sized concrete domes are connected to each other, which corresponds to the Icelandic musical tradition of five-tone harmony.
Graniteier Gladiator
Sculptures made of egg granite in Jupivogura @mbl
Eggin í Gleðivík by Sigurður Guðmundsson is 900 meters from Jupivogur. Located on the shore, these longest-lived copies of granite eggs (made in China, where the artist lives part-time) are 34 species of birds that nest in the area, mounted on plinths with a plaque indicating what type of sculpture the sculpture represents. . Examples of bird egg species are the common gaga and small gaga.
Note the giant red armchair off the ring road
The giant red armchair can be seen along with one of the remote parts of the countryside between Hoffn and Egilsstadir in East Iceland. The chair, with its bright color and size, is an impressive spectacle in a minimalist landscape. The giant red chair attached to a rock amidst a moss field has become a famous photo prop for tourists traveling to this place.
A lonely farmer known for his naïve art
Samuel Jonsson was considered naive but pure of heart
The Samuel Jonsson Art Museum is located in the remote Selardalur valley in Westfjords. This eclectic collection of painted sculptures by outsider artist Samuel Johnson was built by a hermit farmer who became an artist before his death in 1969. Scattered around the museum and the chapel, which was also built by the artist, the premises are now maintained by municipal sponsors.
Drive to Videy Island
The Afangar sculpture is located on Videy Island near the capital
The Áfangar by the American artist Richard Serra is a special sculpture on the island of Videy near Reykjavik. The work was created in response to Serra’s 1988 invitation from the National Gallery of Iceland to create a work for the city of Reykjavik. The sculpture consists of eighteen basalt columns that stand in pairs along the coast of the island, the relief of which determines the distance between each pair of columns. This small island, which also has a restaurant in one of Iceland’s oldest stone houses, can be reached by ferry five minutes from Reykjavik Harbour.
EASTER IN ICELAND IS A BIG TIME TO VISIT
Easter usually falls at the end of April when spring is in the air; Birds flock to Iceland to nest, and large whales such as blue and sperm whales migrate from the south to feed in Icelandic waters. The Northern Lights still dance at night and mounds of chocolate pop up in the shops.
It may sound like a fairy tale, but it really is Iceland.
TRADITIONS INCLUDE LAMB AND CHOCOLATE
Shops in Iceland are filled with chocolate Easter eggs in April
If you ask an Icelander what comes to mind for Easter, it would undoubtedly be Easter eggs or Páskaegg . They are designed as Easter treats for children of all ages and are traditionally indulged on Easter morning. Ambitious parents organize Easter egg hunts and leave a few tips around the house. Eggs are made of chocolate, come in different varieties and sizes, filled with candy and an old Icelandic proverb or málsháttur .
Another typical Easter tradition is the big family meal on Easter Sunday with roasted leg of lamb with glazed potatoes, red cabbage, green beans and rhubarb jam. Many Icelanders also use their holidays to ski in one of the Icelandic ski resorts.
FIVE-WEEK STATE VACATION – MAY AFFECT WORK SCHEDULE
Roast leg of lamb is the most traditional Easter Sunday dinner in Iceland
Easter is based around a religious holiday, but for most Icelanders it’s a comfortable long weekend to enjoy free time with family and friends. The public holiday lasts from Maundy Thursday to Easter Monday and can affect the operation of shops, restaurants and bars. Still, there will be plenty of options for food and entertainment.
COMPANY – ACTION, CULTURE AND LEISURE
Easter is perfect for visiting Iceland and there is an endless choice of things to do. When you’re ready for some action, you can hike to Fagradalsfjal volcano or explore the ice caves. Whale watching and Northern Lights excursions may lend themselves to a more relaxing holiday in nature.
A visit to the Westfjords is always great, but especially so at Easter. Then you can immerse yourself in the Icelandic music scene at the annual music festival “I have never been to the south” or Aldrei fór ég suður in Ísafjörður.
Whatever your choice, relax in the hot pool and of course enjoy the chocolate eggs!
CHRISTMAS IN ICELAND – CELEBRATING THE LIGHT IN THE DARK
Celebrating Christmas or public holidays is the biggest holiday in Iceland. Many traditions may be familiar but some may be a little quirky, for example children put shoes in the bedroom window for 13 days in hopes of receiving gifts from mischievous holiday boys. So how do Icelanders celebrate the Feast of the Holy Christ and how can travelers take part in the celebration?
ICELANDIC HOLIDAY TRADITIONS – CULTURAL MIX
The traditions of celebration in Iceland are probably as old as the country’s settlement in the Middle Ages and are a mixture of religion and folklore. Lunar holidays shorten the long, dark winter when the sun only creeps over the horizon for four hours during the winter solstice. Throughout the month, the Christmas holiday is busy with food and drink, cultural and religious events, parties and family meals, decorations and shopping for many people. But quiet evenings with candles, books, hot chocolate and biscuits are equally appreciated.
“LOVE” “FOLK” STORIES FOR CHILDREN – 13 YULEK, HER ANGRY MOTHER – TROLL GRILL AND THE TERRIBLE CAT TROLL
Icelandic yule-yuli are harmless pranksters who even bring gifts to children.
During the Christmas season, many mysterious figures belonging to the same troll family appear. 13 The Yol boys are sometimes called Icelandic Santa Clauses, but they are certainly not holy, although they are completely harmless. They’re pranksters, each with a special desire that’s usually reflected in their names; for example spoonlicker, door banger, sky eater and sausage thief. Despite their naughty behavior, they can be kind to their children.
Each of the thirteen nights before Christmas, one of them comes to town from the mountain cave where they live. They bring small gifts for children who put their shoes on the windowsill. It can be a small toy, a candy, or a healthier choice like a tangerine. If you don’t behave, you’ll get rotten potatoes and have to step up your game before the next Santa Claus shows up.
Children are no longer afraid of the “terrible” Christmas cat.
Then there are two people in the family, Grill and a cat, who are completely lacking in the Christmas spirit. Grill is a troll mother for young saints, she collects naughty children in her bag, takes them to her den and cooks them. Her big black cat hunts on Christmas Eve and eats poor people who didn’t get new clothes before Christmas. Rumor has it they’ve been unlucky for decades and may be dead, but Icelandic kids don’t expect it and do their best to get excited before Christmas.
Advice for children: Always try to behave in Iceland and leave your shoes on the windowsill from December 11th to 24th.
Note to parents: you may have to help the boys put presents in the shoe; They can be a little awkward
SHOPPING AND GIFTS – ANNUAL HOLIDAY BOOK FLOOD
The center of Reykjavik is decorated with Christmas lights.
Giving books at Christmas has been a tradition in Iceland for decades, rooted in our literary roots from the Middle Ages when Icelandic sagas were written. That’s why many books are published before Christmas, when book sales are at their peak and we get an annual flood of Christmas books.
Other popular gifts include clothing, music, and event-related gifts, and of course, phones and other gadgets and toys for children. Gifts are usually opened after dinner on Christmas Eve, December 24th, when most Icelanders celebrate Christmas.
Whether you like shopping in the malls or strolling through the shopping streets in the city center, there are several options. The most famous shopping centers are Kringlan and Smáralind in the capital and Glerártorg in Akureyri in North Iceland. For those looking for a city center vibe, Laugavegur, Skolavjordurstigur and the Reykjavik area are great options, as is the Christmas Village in Hafnarfjörður . Most of the larger towns on the island will also have city center shops with extended hours, Christmas decorations and music events such as B. the Selfoss Christmas Center .You might even meet the cheeky Julian Boys or Santa himself during his annual stop in Iceland.
CATERING AND FOOD – ARE RESTAURANTS AND GROCERY SHOPS OPEN DURING CHRISTMAS?
Not surprisingly, many Icelandic holiday traditions involve food. Smoked lamb and fermented fish are some of the most traditional options, but you can read more about typical Icelandic Christmas dinners here .
Restaurants in Reykjavik are usually open during the winter season, but opening times may change over the Christmas period. It is therefore recommended to book in advance, especially on December 24th, 25th, 26th and 31st and on January 1st and 2nd. Nowadays some restaurants may be closed or open on a limited basis.
Here you can see which restaurants will open in Reykjavik in 2021.
Grocery stores are generally open until noon on December 24th, remain closed on December 25th, and reopen on December 26th or 27th. The same goes for the New Year; They close at 12 noon on January 31st, remain closed on January 1st and reopen on January 2nd or 3rd.
13 things to do in Iceland on the eve of Christmas and New Year
1. From December 11th to 24th, put a shoe in the window and hope for a small gift from the holiday boys (kids only).
2. Enjoy some of the many Christmas concerts offered at the country’s churches, Harpa Music Hall or elsewhere.
3. Christmas shopping in the Christmas villages of Hafnarfjordur or Selfoss, central Reykjavik on Laugavegur, Skolavjördustigur and in or around Kringlan & Smáralind.
4. Visit the Holy Boys in Dimmborgir and the Christmas House in North Iceland.
5. Chasing the Northern Lights. Now the ideal time is only 5 hours of daylight.
6. Visit the Bar-Hop to sample the local craft beer on tap this Christmas.
7. Relax in some of Iceland’s many geothermal pools.
8. Go to a holiday buffet and taste a typical Icelandic Christmas meal and on the 23rd try the traditional fermented ray.
9. On New Year’s Eve, visit Hallgrimskirkja Church, Pearls Church or any other hilltop in the capital to see the famous Reykjavik fireworks display.
10. Take a tour of the ice caves and try to see Icelandic deer in East Iceland.
11. Skating in central Reykjavik .
12. Experience Christmas in the snowiest and darkest regions of Iceland, the Westfjords and North Iceland .
13. Take a walk around the city to see the lights and decorations and find animations of 13 festive guys around the city.
Sea Monster, Witch and Mile Elsewhere
A MUSEUM GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING LIFE IN THE WESTERN FURTHER
Naturally, nature watching, waterfalls and swimming in hot springs are top priorities for most visitors when traveling through the Westfjords. But as you explore the Westfjords, you quickly get the feeling that there’s an elusive je ne sai quoi in the region. Westfjords museums and exhibitions help you understand the past and present of this enchanting part of Iceland.
INTERESTING, AMAZING AND REFRESHINGLY NORMAL
The absence of people leaves more room for imagination. With a total area of 9,400 km2 and only 7,000 inhabitants, each inhabitant of the Westfjords theoretically has more than one square kilometer. This, combined with the setting of steep mountains that the sun often cannot conquer in winter, makes the Westfjords a magical place and home to many stories and folklore – some darker than others.
OUT OF THIS WORLD
Another world in the afterlife
The sculptures and buildings of Samuel Jonsson (1884-1969) stand as a monument to a lifetime of pursuing their own passions among the remote hills of the Vale of the Seals. Aged 65 and retired, he dedicated his life to what is now considered naïve folk or outsider art. He painted, sculpted and even built a museum and a church without any electricity or technology. His colorful work was inspired by paintings and postcards from around the world in a way he had never done abroad himself. Luckily his artwork has been restored and can be seen at the Samuel Johnson Art Museum in Selardalur.
DARK TIMES OF THE WITCH HUNT
In the second half of the 17th century, witch hunts came to Iceland, especially in the Westfjords. Unlike other parts of the world, it was mainly men who were convicted and executed for witchcraft and witchcraft in Iceland. Their stories will come to life at the Holmavik Museum of Witchcraft and Wizardry and other historical sites in the Strandir area.
INTEREST OF ALL LIFE
Make the top of other people’s lives!
In Isafjördur two rather unusual museums meet the interesting ones: In the Museum of Everyday Life you can slip into the role of another person by listening to their stories.
The Museum of Nonsense is a true joy of collecting for collecting’s sake.
Whether it’s a collection of matchboxes, sugar cubes or teaspoons – the museum will surprise you and make you laugh with the collections presented!
LIFE BY THE SEA AND ITS – 3 MARITIME MUSEUMS
40% of Iceland’s coastline is in the Westfjords and fishing is and has been an important part of life and survival for centuries. These exquisite marine museums show what it really meant to fish without modern technical achievements and in all weathers, how the fishermen lived and with which tools they fished well in the North Atlantic.
OSVORA MARINE MUSEUM
What was it really like to fish in ancient times?
To understand the close connection between the ocean and the inhabitants of the Westfjords, visit the fishermen’s (leather) shoes at the Osvora Maritime Museum in Bolungarvik. The museum is a replica of the 19th-century fishing station in Bolungarvik village.
The fisherman’s tour in authentically dressed uniform illustrates the difficulties of pre-industrial rowing boat fishing and gives the opportunity to experience the working life of seasonal fishermen, where they lived and how they dressed when searching for fish on the ice. – cold ocean.
EXHIBITION “BOAT AND THE GIFT OF NATURE”.
Besides fish, what other treasures can be found in the ocean? The importance of the role of seals and birds in coastal survival is explained at the Boat and the Gift of Nature exhibition in Reicholar. The exhibition is complemented by a large ornithological collection, a cafe and a souvenir shop.
HISTORY AT THE WESTFIORD HERITAGE MUSEUM
Don’t forget to visit the tower!
Housed in an 18th-century building, the West Fjord Heritage Museum in Isafjordur also offers a comprehensive overview of the Westfjords’ rich marine life.
From the restoration of boats to the cod wars between Iceland and Britain to the manufacture of salted fish, various exhibitions cover a variety of topics related to the history and culture of the region.
FOXES, SHEEP AND OTHER ANIMALS
Not only are fish alive, other animals and creatures have also played an important role in the life and survival of the Westfjords people. The existence of some of them has not been finally clarified to this day.
THEY WERE THE FIRST HERE
The fox is Iceland’s only native land mammal
At the Fox Center in Sudavik you can learn all about Iceland’s only native land mammal and its difficult relationship with humans through the centuries. Orphaned foxes are often cared for in a fenced area around the museum so they can be observed closely.
THEY ARE EVERYWHERE
Another fluffy resident has his own museum near Golmavik: The Sheep Museum has an exhibition, a café and a souvenir shop. That gives an idea of the life of the fluffiest people in Iceland, and yes, there are lambs that can be bottle fed!
ARE YOU REALLY HERE? – OLD WATER AND THE SEA
do you believe in monsters Find out at the Sea Monster Museum
Eyewitness accounts of beach girls, water and shell monsters will change your view of the ocean forever.
Through images, videos and a multimedia exhibition, the Museum of the Icelandic Sea Monster in Bildudalur is dedicated to finding the truth about the mysteries hidden in the mythical Arnarfjordur.
Most encounters with sea creatures are recorded here.