Reykjavík Grapevine - 20.06.2014, Síða 4

Dear Grapevine
Firstly, congratulations on being such
an awesome magazine! My wife and I
just returned from honeymooning in
Iceland where we had an amazing time.
Sitting in 12 Tónar reading a copy of
Grapevine on our first day made me feel
like an instant local.
I was especially interested to read
the political pieces on Jón Gnarr and the
guide to the municipal elections. I was
struck by how accessible and immedi-
ate politics in Reykjavik is - or at least
seems to be. It's amazing to me that of
the eight parties running for office, six
were formed after 1999. It gives the im-
pression of political entrepreneurship; if
you don't like any of the parties asking
for your vote, start your own! This ap-
peals to me a lot.
It subsequently came as a bit of a sur-
prise to learn that this vibrant political
climate doesn't appear to be translating
into greater engagement with voters - as
reported by yourselves turnout was a re-
cord low on May 31st. This downward
trend is not unique to Iceland, but to
an outsider it seems a particular shame
given that a) Reykjavik is brilliant and
b) in such a small election (in terms of
number of registered voters), your vote
gives you proportionally a pretty big say
in the final result.
So what's the point of my letter? I
guess I'm saying that I think you live in
a great country, and an awesome city,
and that the future of both of these is
tangibly yours to decide. (I hope this
doesn't come across as condescending,
it's not meant to be!) I live in London,
where the last mayoral elections in 2012
saw turnout of a pathetic 38%, equating
to around 2,100,000 total votes. In the
face of numbers like this it's hard not to
feel a bit powerless, depressed and em-
barrassed, made worse by the winner
being a right-wing buffoon. But think-
ing like that doesn't change anything.
So next time the elections come around,
if you don't feel like there's any point in
voting, I would urge you to think again.
You can still participate even if you
don't like any of the candidates or par-
ties by submitting a blank vote; these are
counted (in both London and Reykjavik
elections.) Or you could start your own
party. Whatever you do, don't do noth-
ing! Iceland needs you!
Hoping to be back soon,
Owen Evans
Hi Owen,
Thanks a bunch for the thoughtful let-
ter on our recent elections and Icelandic
politics in general. We at the Grapevine
also appreciate our political openness and
accessibility that, theoretically, gives us an
opportunity to not be held down by anti-
quated political systems. To the Iceland-
ers reading this, heed Owen’s advice and
be sure to vote next time!
Appreciatively,
The Grapevine
In may 2013 my partner and I traveled around Iceland. I am
mildly obsessive about litter collecting, especially in beauti-
ful and unspoilt areas of natural beauty. I have collected litter
throughout the Islands and Highlands of Scotland (my home
country) as well as the Canary Islands, Mainland Spain, Nor-
way, Sweden, Finland and Italy. Attached is a montage of me
collecting Litter in Iceland in may 2013. During our stay I we
had a lovely meal at Barinn restaurant courtesy of Grapevine.
Thank you again and Keep Iceland beautiful.
Dearest Litter Picker-Upper,
We at the Grapevine are grateful for your litter-collecting obses-
sion and love your Picking Up Litter in Beautiful Places photo se-
ries. It seems like you have beautified a number of places around
the world, and I think we can all agree that the world needs more
travelers like you. One question, though: Do you throw out the lit-
ter you collect, or do you actually keep it a la Jonathan in ‘Every-
thing Is Illuminated’?
Keep keeping places beautiful!
Grapefully,
The Grapevine
Say your piece, voice your
opinion, send your letters to:
letters@grapevine.is
Sour
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& stuff
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