Atlantica - 01.09.2000, Page 59

A T L A N T I C A 57
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i-site
[ IDEAS OF INTEREST IN ICELAND ]❍
Sheep outnumber people in Iceland more
than three times to one. There are constant
reminders of this fact, from the racks of
knitwear in the tourist stores to the ubiquitous
shaggy flocks dotting the landscape. No won-
der, then, that the autumn sheep round-up is
one of the highlights of the rural year.
All summer long, sheep are free to range the
mountains, deserts and valleys, penetrating
deep into the wildest reaches of the interior in
their search for food. But come September,
farmers face the headache of tracking down
and bringing home their scattered flocks, in
advance of the winter snows.
Even four-wheel drives are of little use on the
roughest terrain, and many search parties
head out on foot or mounted on hardy
Icelandic horses, dogs at their heels, as their
ancestors have done for centuries.
The landscape comes alive at the end of the
drive with woolly backs streaming into the
folds. Then the fun really begins as volunteers
help to sort the earmarked stock, before
enjoying their reward of a “Corral Coffee” or
“Round-up Ball”. VC
It’s Not Just
Music
The Bleating Heart
of Iceland
In October last year, Icelandair, in co-opera-
tion with Air Iceland and EMI, hosted their
first annual Iceland Airwaves. The event was
a three-day international music forum in
which the music industry, media and the
public met up to have a great time in
Europe’s hottest destination. Parties, recep-
tions, concerts and unique adventure tours
filled the days and nights, showcasing
Icelandic and foreign stars alike.
The 19–22 October brings you even bigger
and better airwaves. Icelandair will be host-
ing the event in conjunction with EMI music,
ESL music, Mastercard, the Icelandic Tourist
Board and Reykjavík European City of
Culture 2000.
This year, over 30 bands from North
America and Europe will play, including gus
gus, The Bang Gang, 10000 Rottweilers and
Suede. AMB
Herb Legowitz from Gus Gus.
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