Iceland review - 2016, Side 4

2 ICELAND REVIEW
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4 FROM THE EDITOR
6 WALL STREET
Downtown Reykjavík’s colorful graffiti are featured
in this issue’s opening spread.
8 STUBBORN AS THEIR
OWN SHEEP
Director Grímur Hákonarson’s award-winning
2015 film Rams (Hrútar) is a story of two brothers,
separated by a fence and a decades-long silence.
10 SUMMER CELEBRATIONS
Iceland Review takes a look at three
summer festivals in the capital.
12 CULTURAL CURIOSITIES
Reviews of three recent book,
music and film releases.
14 ALMOST FAMOUS
Elliott Brandsma speaks to up-and-coming
pop star Sara Pétursdóttir—better known as
Glowie—about her music, her artistic
influences and her upcoming debut EP.
18 BREAKING OUT OF THE BANK
Vala Hafstað talks to bank teller-turned-ceramicist
Bjarni Sigurðsson about his path to creativity.
24 COLORED
Páll Stefánsson pays photographic homage to the
raw beauty and otherworldly colors of Iceland’s
volcanic landscape.
34 PM PUSHED OUT
BY PANAMA PAPERS
Sigrún Davíðsdóttir reviews the fallout from the
Panama Papers revelations in Iceland, including
the resignation of the country’s prime minister.
40 THE INTERVIEW
Investigative journalist Jóhannes Kr. Kristjánsson
tells Zoë Robert about his infamous interview
with now former Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð
Gunnlaugsson, where the PM’s connections to an
offshore company were first publicly revealed.
44 S.O.S
A series of accidents and close calls involving
tourists has highlighted the dangers of traveling in
Iceland. Zoë Robert takes a look at the situation
and what is being done to improve it.
50 AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE
The late photographer Vigfús Sigurgeirsson left
behind a record of life in Iceland during the
20th century.
ICELAND REVIEW
55 A MIXED PICTURE
The winners of Iceland’s Press Photographs of
the Year 2015 provide a glimpse of life in
the country in the year that was.
60 HEALTH OF THE NATION
Dead or alive? Halldór Lárusson takes a look
at the state of Iceland’s healthcare system.
64 FLOATING PHENOMENON
With benefits like physical relaxation and mental
calmness, the practice of floating is gaining
popularity in Iceland, as Rachel Mercer discovers.
68 THE JOURNEY(WO)MAN
In her new book On the Road, Gréta S.
Guðjónsdóttir presents images of the country’s
roads in all seasons.
72 BRINGING BACK THE BLUES
After signing to Atlantic Records and moving to the
US, Icelandic rock/blues/folk band Kaleo appears
to be on its way to stardom abroad. Vala Hafstað
catches up with frontman Jökull Júlíusson.
76 FEAST FOR THE EYES
Icelandic superfoods take center stage
in Áslaug Snorradóttir’s colorful new book.
80 WEST IS BEST
Páll Stefánsson takes a trip to the westernmost
municipality in Europe, Vesturbyggð.
88 MAKING WAVES
At a new gallery in downtown Reykjavík, artist
Finnbogi Pétursson is making waves. Literally.
89 SUPPLEMENT – ICELAND DELUXE
Your guide to luxury travel in Iceland.
111 SUPPLEMENT – THERMAL BLISS
A selection of Iceland’s finest swimming pools.
121 SUPPLEMENT
– THE ICELANDIC HORSE
Learn more about the unique Icelandic horse
and equine-related activities in Iceland.
144 – LAST PAGE
Iceland’s glaciers are receding fast,
as seen at Rjúpnabrekkujökull.

On the cover: one of the 600 types of moss found in
Iceland. The image was taken in Faxasund, the
south-central highlands. Photo by Páll Stefánsson.
Geothermal Baths
A unique contact with nature - come enjoy a steam bath
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Local Kitchen with our popular country style lunch
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Experience our Geothermal Bakery, every day
at 11:30, 13:00 and 14:30. Welcome!
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Þingvellir
Gullfoss
Geysir
Kerið
Reykjavík
Mosfellsbær
Selfoss
Akranes
Skálholt
Flúðir
Hveragerði
We’re only one hour from Reykjavik and in the
middle of the Golden Circle. Make sure to
upgrade your excursion to include a visit to us.
Geothermal Baths - Natural Steam Baths
Local Kitchen - Geothermal Bakery
Open daily 11:00 - 21:00, extended hours summertime
TEL: +354 486 1400 • www.fontana.is
Completing the Golden Circle