Atlantica - 01.09.2000, Page 68

66 A T L A N T I C A
If friends from abroad visit Iceland, what sights do you
show them?
The seaside (anywhere). I would also show them towns like
Keflavík and Grindavík, especially if my friends from abroad
were German or Swedish. They are places I think every visitor
to Iceland should see, they don’t necessarily have to be German
or Swedish.
What is your favourite gallery or museum in Iceland?
Vesturfarasetrid (Icelandic Immigration Centre) in Hofsós, north
Iceland. It gives a very good idea of what life in Iceland used to
be like around the turn of the last century, and why today is bet-
ter than yesterday. I find it totally fascinating.
If you were a visitor, what souvenir would you take
back home?
The latest issue of the magazine Séd og Heyrt because it has
pictures of modern Icelanders and their supposedly modern
way of life. Also, I would get a copy of the “Raddir” (Voices) CD.
It’s a fine recording of traditional Icelandic rhymes. As for other
souvenirs, a moderately big chunk of lava from Rammagerdin
is not a bad idea.
What person in Iceland today sums up all that is Icelandic
about Icelanders?
Halldór Ásgrímsson, the foreign minister.
What is your favourite bar/restaurant in Reykjavík?
Kaffibrennslan, because you get sparkling water with your
espresso. I would also mention Kebabhúsid in Lækjargata, they
have okay fish and chips which is hard to find in Reykjavík.
What music would you play to entertain a visitor from abroad?
Pole (Stefan Betke from Berlin) but if it must be Icelandic then I
would play Megas’s first album, [self-titled, Megas]. Megas is
the most Icelandic music of all Icelandic music without being
pretentious or sentimental.
What is your favourite shop in Iceland?
My local grocery store, Thingholt, and ÁTVR (the state liquor
store) because that is where I get my bare necessities. Both
shops are relatively unaffected by market forces or so-called
healthy competition, have a very limited selection of goods –
always important – and are expensive, which makes you feel
rich.
If you were cooking a typical Icelandic meal, what would be on
the menu?
Swedish meatballs and rice (or potatoes) with cold light-ale or
Viking beer.
Visitors are often asked by Icelanders, "How do you like
Iceland?" How do you respond to this question?
It’s one of my favourite countries!
How can Icelandic culture benefit western society?
I don’t see how it can.
Which nation other than Iceland do you most identify with?
I don’t identify with any other nation as such, but if, for some
strange reason, I had to move to another country I think it
would be Spain. It’s got many things Iceland cannot offer and
its culture and history has always appealed to me. It also has
the best brandy, best cigarettes and very good coffee.
The Atlantica
INQUISITION
Bragi Ólafsson is one of Iceland’s most talented writ-
ers. He’s published four volumes of poetry, a book of
short stories, and his first novel, Hvíldardagar
(Sabbaths) which was short-listed for the two main
Icelandic literary prizes in 1999. Currently this multi-
talented artist – who once played bass guitar for the
Sugarcubes – is writing his second novel, in addition
to co-running his production company, Bad Taste,
and working as a copywriter for an advertising
agency in Reykjavík.
i-site❍
Compiled by Edward Weinman
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