Reykjavík Grapevine - 29.07.2011, Side 51

F E S T I VA L S
verslunarmannahelgi
Aðalstræti 2 / 101 Reykjavík / tel. 511 1212 / sjavarkjallarinn.is
FEEL WELCOM E
Fischersund
Vesturg
a
ta
A
ð
a
ls
tr
æ
ti
Tryggvagata
Austurstræti
Hafnarstræti
Ingólfs-
torg
Hafnarhús
At the SEAFOOD CELLAR RESTAURANT we place New
Nordic kitchen in the forefront. We are a seasonal
restaurant that worships everything that Icelandic
nature brings us as well as getting a few things from
Scandinavia. We only use the freshest and the best
nature brings us. We, and our ambitious, productive
friends collect and produce the raw materials and
bring it home. We serve it with love and respect for
the ingredients and the environment around us.
We do it our way.
WHALE
WATCHING
EXPRESS
TOURS
SPECIAL
Make the most
of your day!
We
offer free

pick-up
in the
Reykjavik
area!
Call us
+354 892 0099
or book online
specialtours.is
HOW
TO BOOK?
Takesonly 2-2
hours
PUFFIN
WATCHING
The Puffin Express adventure
is an inexpensive and
charming option for everyone.
Five times daily: 8:30, 10:30,
12:30, 14:30 and 16:30.
Only
20
Euros!
Spend more time whale
watching and less time
waiting.
Say the keyword and
save 10% of your whale
watching adventure:
Grapevine Special Offer.
Takes
only 1
hour
Sea Angling Trips also
available daily at 18:00.
APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEPT OKT
10:00 10:00 10:00 10:00 10:00 10:00 10:00
14:00 14:00 14:00 14:00 14:00
17:00 17:00 17:00
15 JUL – 15 AUG 20:00 20:00
WHALE WATCHING TOURS
„That was marvellous!
We saw many whales
and dolphins. Fantastic.“
-Samantha
Chances are you have not been proper-
ly introduced to the term Verslunarman-
nahelgi. This labour day / bank holiday
equivalent, dedicated to Icelandic
merchants, is celebrated every summer
on the first Monday in August (and all
through the preceding weekend).
While only a small group of Iceland-
ers belong to the class of merchants,
they do celebrate this holiday in their
honour with considerable enthusiasm.
In true Icelandic fashion, thousands of
people attend large outdoor festivals,
camping in the great outdoors, and en-
joying a lot of live music, while sending
off summer with a last hurrah.
Others take to the road, often on
camping trips, only without the music
(and the thousands of people to go with
the music). As a result, this is usually
the biggest weekend for domestic travel
for Icelanders. You can expect packed
roads and deserted towns.
Should you find yourself in Iceland
during Verslunarmannahelgi, you may
want to take a look at some of the
festivals available. The largest outdoor
festivals are usually the modestly
named National Festival in Vestman-
naeyjar Islands, The One With Every-
thing Festival in Akureyri and The Flying
Sparks festival in Neskaupsstaður. If
camping is not your thing, there is also
the annual music festival Innipúkinn in
Reykjavík.
In addition, there are two large an-
nual sporting events during the week-
end. One is the Teenagers’ National
Competition, held in Egilsstaðir this
year, and the European Championship
in Swamp Soccer in Ísafjörður.
In conclusion, here is a list of Verslu-
narmannahelgi festivals that have been
announced. Have fun!
Ein með öllu (‘The One With
Everything Festival’)
Where: Akureyri
When: July 28 - August 1
Entrance: FREE
Færeyskir fjölskyldudagar
('Faroese family days’)
Where: Stokkseyri
When: July 29 - July 31
Entrance: Friday, 1990 ISK, Saturday,
4400 ISK, and Sunday, 4400 ISK
Innipúkinn Festival
Where: Reykjavík
When: July 29 - July 31
Entrance: 4500 ISK (three-day pass) /
2.900 ISK (single day)
Neistaflug ('Sparks')
Where: Neskaupstaður
When: July 28 - July 31
Entrance: FREE, with the exception of
select events
'Síldarævintýri' (Herring Festival)
Where: Siglufjörður
When: July 29 - August 1
Entrance: FREE
Sæludagar (Happy days)
Where: Vatnaskógur
When: July 28 - July 31
Entrance: 4000 ISK
Þjóðhátíð
Where: Vestmannaeyjar
When: July 29 - August 1
Entrance: 16900 ISK
Unlingalandsmót UMFÍ
Where: Egilsstaðir
When: July 29 - July 31
Entrance: 6000 ISK
Swamp soccer
Where: Ísafjörður
When: July 30 - August 1
Registration fee: 7000 ISK
Verslunarmannahelgi
A feast for serious feasters