Reykjavík Grapevine - 24.08.2007, Side 2

0_REYKJAVÍK_GRAPEVINE_ISSUE 13_YEAR 05_AUGUST 4_SEPTEMBER 06
The Reykjavík Grapevine
Vesturgata 5, 101 Reykjavík
www.grapevine.is
grapevine@grapevine.is
www.myspace.com/reykjavikgrapevine
Published by Fröken ehf.
Editorial: +354 540 3600 / editor@grapevine.is
Advertising: +354 540 3605 / ads@grapevine.is
Publisher: +354 540 3601 / publisher@grapevine.is
The Reykjavík Grapevine Staff
Publisher: Hilmar Steinn Grétarsson / publisher@grapevine.is
Editor: Sveinn Birkir Björnsson / birkir@grapevine.is
Assistant Editors: Steinunn Jakobsdóttir / steinunn@grapevine.is
Haukur Magnússon / haukur@grapevine.is
Editorial Intern: Valgerður Þóroddsdóttir / vala@grapevine.is
Marketing Director: Jón Trausti Sigurðarson / jontrausti@grapevine.is
Support Manager: Oddur Óskar Kjartansson / oddur@grapevine.is
Art Director: Gunnar Þorvaldsson / gunni@grapevine.is
Photographer: Gunnlaugur Arnar Sigurðsson / gulli@grapevine.is
Contributing writer: Ian Watson / www.ianwatson.org
Sales Director: Aðalsteinn Jörundsson / adalsteinn@grapevine.is
Distribution: Samúel Bjarnason / samuel@grapevine.is
Proofreader: Jim Rice
Press releases: listings@grapevine.is
Submissions inquiries: editor@grapevine.is
Subscription inquiries: +354 540 3605 / subscribe@grapevine.is
General inquiries: grapevine@grapevine.is
The Reykjavík Grapevine is published 18 times a year by Fröken ltd. Monthly
from November through April, and fortnightly from May til October. Nothing
in this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written
permission of the publishers. Although the magazine has endeavoured to ensure
that all information inside the magazine is correct, prices and details may be
subject to change. The Reykjavík Grapevine can be found in Reykjavík, Akureyri,
Egilsstaðir, Selfoss, Keflavík, Ísafjörður, Kárahnjúkar and at key locations around
road #1 and at all major tourist attractions and tourist information centres.
You may not like it, but at least it's not sponsored. (No articles in the Reykjavík
Grapevine are pay-for articles. The opinions expressed are the writers’ own, not
the advertisers’).
Printed by Prentsmiðja Morgunblaðsins printing press in 30.000 copies.
If you have recently arrived in Reykjavík, you
are probably thinking that this is a relatively
safe city. And you would be right. If you have
been here for some time, you might be think-
ing ‘what the hell is going on here?’ If you are
able to follow the Icelandic media discussion,
you might get the impression that all hell has
broken loose and your life is in danger every
time you walk down Laugavegur on a given
Friday night. It is not so. Despite feverish public
outcry over violence in the city centre, studies
reveal that violence has actually gone down
in recent years. This is documented in some
detail in this issue of the Grapevine. I could use
this space to say a little more on the subject,
but frankly, the naïve reaction from the city
government has left me so dumbfounded that
I really don’t know what more to say.
On to the next subject then, all around
the country, children and adults are returning
to school after their summer vacation. In this
issue, Valgerður Þóroddsdóttir has investigated
how children of immigrants fare in the Icelan-
dic school system. We also examine the cost
of starting a university semester. The price is
pretty steep for a country that prides itself of
providing free university education.
I am also extremely pleased to print a first
half of a two article series from Professor Róbert
Haraldsson from a bicycle trip through the Ice-
landic highlands, from Reykjavík to Akureyri.
His newfound passion for cycling should serve
as an inspiration for us all to slow down the
pace and take better care of ourselves.
I want to take this opportunity to extend
my gratitude to two people who have made
life easier around the office this summer. Well,
most of the time they made it easier, although
sometimes, quite the opposite was true. I am
talking about Chandler Fredrick and Zoë Rob-
ert, the two summer interns who have roamed
aimlessly around the office, picking up pointers
on how to screw up a great idea for a maga-
zine. Thanks kids, it was great fun having you
around.
From the Editor’s Chair
Opinions
1 Fight for Your Right to Party: Fight Club
An opinion by Marvin Lee Dupree
14 All Things in Life – Not for All Though
An opinion by Alena Krasovskaya
Articles
06 Peacekeeping and Ideas of Masculinity
An Interview with anthropologist Helga Björnsdóttir
08 New Icelanders Build on Language
Immigrant children face problems at school
10 The Price of Education
Examining the costs of starting a semester
16 The Telephone Consumer’s Guerilla Handbook
Reviewing prices for Internet service
 The Accidental Musician
An interview with Eberg
3 Icelandic Art in Iran
An interview with artist Sara Riel
Features
0 Is Reykjavík the City of Fear?
Music & Nightlife
4 CD Reviews
6 Idiot Culture for the Masses
Miklatún concerts at Culture Night
6 Right Vibe, Wrong Headliner
Grapevine gig at Organ
Outside Reykjavík
9 Flightseeing
30 Kjölur by Bike – Part One
info.
B1 Listings
B6 Etching Bold Patterns
An interview with fashion designer Imba
B7 Reykjavík Jazz Festival
B10 Food Reviews
B1 Shopping
B14 Kling & Bang Sees off its First Space
Violence Soars in City Centre, or Does It? • School is in Session • Riding Kjölur
Patterns and Design, Imba Holds Court • Artist Sara Riel in Iran • Remembering Kerouac, Elvis
Issue 13 // Aug 24 - Sept 6 2007+ info. A Complete City Guide and Listings: Map, Dining, Music, Arts and Events
INNER CITY
WARZONE?
Cover photo by:
Gulli
On cover:
Reynir, Kjartan, Konni, Goggi, Mummi,
Gaui and Maggi engaged in a proper
Reykjavík street fight.