Reykjavík Grapevine - 24.08.2007, Side 10

18_REYKJAVÍK_GRAPEVINE_ISSUE 13_007_FESTIVAL RVK_GV_13_007_FESTIVAL_19
Further information on www.or.is www.or.is
The area surrounding the geothermal power
plant at Nesjavellir is a region of spectacular
nature within easy reach of Reykjavik, acces-
sible to hikers and other nature lovers. A visit to the power plant
itself is also a revealing experience.
Reykjavík Energy has put much effort into making the area
accessible to visitors by providing marked paths, information signs, cabins, and
maps. The visitor centre is open this summar on Mondays through Saturdays from
9:00 to 17:00 and on Sundays from 13:00 to 18:00.
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Nesjavellir:
Experience Nature
at Reykjavik’s
Doorstep
Take part in an adventure at sea with an unforgettable 3-hour
trip into the world of whales and sea birds.
Located in Reykjavik's old harbour, only a 5 minute walk from
the city centre.
A spacious double-deck and a special viewing area on the
third deck ensures a spectacular view into the deep blue sea.
Whales&Puffin Island
www.elding.is
or visitCall us on
555 3565
Elding Whale Watching, Reykjavík harbour
Tel: (+354) 555 3565, Fax: (+354) 554 7420
info@elding.is, www.elding.is
Puffin season
Oct
13:00
9:00
Sept
13:00
9:00
July
13:00
17:00
9:00
June
13:00
17:00
9:00
May
13:00
9:00
Aug
13:00
17:00
9:00
April
13:00
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Approximately 100 thousand people flocked downtown to
partake in the annual celebration, Reykjavík Culture Night, on
August 18 this year. Culture Night is the day when street per-
formers, artists, musicians, dancers and actors almost outnumber
the 101 population and suburban residents drive to the centre
to witness. Swarms of locals, and a whole bunch of confused
tourists, crowded the city centre to see and bee seen, sample
free drinks at gallery openings and check out what the young
art generationis spending all that free time creating.
More than 400 happenings were scheduled during the day.
With no time to waste, the Grapevine photographer and me,
eager to breathe in as much culture as possible, hit the town
at 14:00 sharp. Strolling down Laugavegur, the street slowly
transformed into a vibrant cultural party-zone. A few hours
later, the crowd would triple in number.
After witnessing a fairly dull street-dance session at Ingólf-
storg, we got stuck in a terrifying and smelly “traffic-jam” on
Lækjartorg square. Wally the clown can be funny and all, but
when cramped between two tall and sweaty men and sur-
rounded by hyperactive kids, we found little joy in the whole
extravaganza and wanted nothing more than to get the move
on, and finally breathe fresh air.
We passed families with dogs, kids sitting cross-legged on
the streets feasting on grilled hot-dogs and candy, their par-
ents ate waffles and teenagers ran around with beer-stuffed
backpacks. DJs and bands played on every other street-corner.
Miklatún park attracted a huge number of pedestrians for a
family friendly outdoor show while bar Dillon hosted the first
Icelandic championship in hot-dog eating. The record now
sits at 14 hot-dogs in 12 minutes so you can now prepare for
next year’s competition. Note that any vomiting will leave you
disqualified.
Around dinner-time we headed to NASA where ultra-trendy
teenagers jumped around to party-band GusGus while two
three-year-olds played around with their balloons, somewhat
unaware that they were probably among the youngest GusGus
concertgoers ever.
It had passed 21:00 when rock-band Mínus crowded the
backyard of bar Dillon on Laugavegur. Soon after they finished
their set, fireworks lit up the cloudless sky as the annual fireworks
display marked the end of the official programme. At this time,
the street was packed. Some groups were heading home, others
just beginning to celebrate. To conclude our challenging day,
funk-masters in Jagúar brought the crowd into a frenzy at bar
Organ and much to my surprise, I actually had some energy left
to get the groove on.
At 5 AM it was finally time to call it a night. The 15 hours
of cultural overdose left us crawl up Laugavegur the last time
that day. By now, family folks had fled the scene and intoxicated
patrons had taken over the city centre. The cultural charm was
lost. Police officers, dressed in neon-lit vests, stormed en masse
around the centre, picked up drunken teenagers and passed-out
adults and secured that everything would run around safely. And
for the most part it did. But as Icelandic party-animals aren’t
exactly the tidiest breed of the animal kingdom, I can’t say that
I envied the city cleaning-team, now arriving for work.
Reykjavík Culture Night
Text by Steinunn Jakobsdóttir Photos by Gulli