Iceland review - 2015, Page 46

44 ICELAND REVIEW
As well as being a popular site for art and
indoor and outdoor activities, visitors never
need to leave Laugardalur, as Reykjavík’s
only campground is located there—and
next to it, one of the city’s hostels is operat-
ed. Luxury hotels have also been sprouting
up around the valley to accommodate the
influx of foreign visitors.
In the summer of 2015, Laugardalur
hosted two massive international events,
attracting thousands of people: the 16th
Games of the Small States of Europe and
the second annual Secret Solstice festival.
Thanks to Sigurður’s vision and political
persistence, Laugardalur has become not
only an athletic and recreational para-
dise, but also a cultural center of Iceland,
where music, nature and sportsmanship are
enjoyed and celebrated.
SMALL GAMES, BIG SPIRIT
First organized in 1985, the Games of the
Small States of Europe is an Olympic-style
sporting event where Europe’s tiniest coun-
tries—those with a population less than
one million—compete biennially for gold
medals and bragging rights. Iceland hosted
the games for the second time this summer
in Laugardalur, bringing delegations from
nine European microstates to the country
in order to compete in 11 different sport-
ing events, ranging from table tennis to
gymnastics.
The games commenced in a colorful cere-
mony that was broadcasted live on Icelandic
state TV, RÚV, during which President of
Iceland Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson officially
opened the games. Icelandic singer and
gay icon Páll Óskar, clad in a glittering
sequined body suit, gave a stylish musical
performance to usher in the games, initiat-
ing a spirited competition that saw Iceland
land at the top of the medals table.
All throughout the week-long event,
RECREATION
Deep in thought about where to head next, around midnight, in a hammock, at the Reykjavík campsite in Laugardalur.