Reykjavík Grapevine - 12.08.2016, Page 25

Paul Fontaine
“It had always been a dream of mine to
see Iceland's Highlands. When I finally
did, it was a quasi-religious experience.
Rolling through the Martian landscape, you
begin to understand why early settlers thought
this part of the country was the domain of
monsters and mythical beasts. The cliché is true:
it feels not only like a whole other country, but
a whole other world. You don't really get the whole
picture of Iceland's character until you've traveled
through this forbidding area, stopped by the side of
the road and listened to the absolute silence, and gaped
in slack-jawed awe at the incredible geological formations
you'll encounter. It's a good thing this place is only truly
open to visitors for a few weeks of the year, because it
really deserves to remain as unspoiled as possible.”
Björk, singer & spokes-
person for Protect The Park
“Iceland’s Highlands are currently the largest
untouched area of nature in Europe. The government
has plans to build over 50 dams and power plants. This
could end Iceland’s wilderness in just a few years. We propose
to start a national park in our Highlands. Surveys already to prove
that the majority of Icelanders agree. 80% of Icelanders want to see this
land remain untouched. I am a musician, not a politician, and I prefer to stay
at home and write songs. But I feel like that 80% needs a spokesperson—and I can use
my platform to make their voices heard.
“Iceland is still a magic place. It’s a tiny island with a
vast wilderness. There’s almost no infrastructure, because of
the small size of our population. So things can happen fast here.
Sometimes a good thing, like a music festival, or a green movement.
But sometimes it means bad things can happen fast too.”
Photo ART BICNICK
Photo ART BICNICK