Atlantica - 01.11.2002, Side 58

The Atlantica
INQUISITION
Edward Weinman: Why did you choose to
host the Edda Awards?
Thórey Vilhjálmsdóttir: I have a lot of
experience with event management. The
Edda Awards is “the event of the year” in
Iceland. Sixty-five per cent of the nation
watches it live on television, so it was a
challenging project to take on.
EW: What is your favourite Icelandic film
and why?
TV: My favourite film is Veggfódur
(Wallpaper) because my best friend (and
favourite actress) Ingibjörg Stefánsdóttir
starred in it.
EW: You ran Iceland’s most successful
modelling agency. How can such a small
nation produce so many beautiful women?
TV: Could it be slátur [blood sausage], svid
[sheep heads] and brennivín?
EW: When the confines of 101 Reykjavík
box you in, where do you go to unwind?
TV: My parents’ summer house in
Skorradalur [southwest Iceland] is a great
place to visit to revitalise and relax. The
Blue Lagoon is also an amazing place
to go if you only have two or three
hours and want to feel like you’ve
been on a three-week vacation!
EW: How do you brighten up
the dark winter months?
TV: With fireworks.
EW: It’s a snowy Saturday afternoon. What
are your plans?
TV: Go with my son to Hafnarfjördur and
look for the “hidden people” living in the
lava fields. Since we will not find them, we
usually then go to The Pond in front of
Reykjavík City Hall to feed the ducks.
Afterwards, to warm up, we visit Jómfrúin
for a hot chocolate and sweets.
EW: You have friends visiting Iceland for
the first time. Where will you take them?
TV: Nobody should visit Iceland without
going to the Blue Lagoon. It’s a must. It’s
also great to go up Langjökull glacier
[southwest Iceland] on a scooter or by dog
sled. Definitely, a boat trip from
Stykkishólmur [West Iceland] is a good
idea, to see
Breidafjördur
fjord’s amazing nature and the many sur-
rounding islands. Then, of course, a nice
dinner at Apótek or ORO and out for an
evening of bar hopping. I’d also take them
shopping for some Icelandic designs such
as Spakmannsspjarir, Elm or Skaparinn.
EW: Winter is the perfect time to head to
one of Reykjavík’s many cafes. Which one
do you recommend for an afternoon
espresso?
TV: I would go to Kaupfélagid or Sólon.
EW: What is your favourite CD by an
Icelandic artist and why?
TV: Quarashi is my favourite Icelandic
group at the moment because I like their
musical energy.
EW: What three items must a visi-
tor to Iceland bring home as a
souvenir?
TV: Lýsi (fish oil to keep you
healthy), an Icelandic wool
sweater and happy
thoughts.
EW: The snowy
Saturday afternoon
has turned into
Saturday night. It’s
midnight. Where
are you headed?
TV: If I want to
meet the hip, cul-
ture crowd,
Kaffibarinn is my
first choice, but if I’m
looking for a posh
night out I would head
to Thorvaldssen.
Edward Weinman is
a staff writer.
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Thórey Vilhjálmsdóttir delivers talent. She started Eskimo Models, Iceland’s most successful
modelling agency. She enticed actress Teri Hatcher to headline Iceland’s V-Day celebrations, a
charity event to stop violence against women. Her latest challenge – hosting November’s Edda
Awards (the Icelandic Oscars). Edward Weinman sits down with this talent magnet.
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