Iceland review - 2016, Side 4

2 ICELAND REVIEW
Geothermal Baths
A unique contact with nature - come enjoy a steam bath
on top of a hot spring and afterwards relax
in the open air geothermal baths.
Local Kitchen with our popular country style lunch
and dinner buffet available daily.
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
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4 FROM THE EDITOR
6 HÓLMAVÍK HUTS
In the West Fjords’ fishing village of Hólmavík, fishermen
store their gear in colorful huts by the harbor.
8 IMAGINATION TAKES FLIGHT
Visual artist Ragnhildur Ágústsdóttir, who has made a name
for herself with her detailed oil paintings of gardens, recently
branched out into drawing birds.
10 CULTURAL CURIOSITIES
Reviews of three recent Icelandic book, music and film
releases.
12 CLOTHING A GENERATION
Award-winning Icelandic clothing label As We Grow
produces long-lasting, economical and classic children’s
garments from knitted fabrics.
14 ON FIRE
Musician Logi Pedro Stefánsson talks about his new studio,
the status of band Retro Stefson and what it was like
warming up for Justin Bieber.
18 NEWS ROUNDUP
A summary of some of the most noteworthy news stories
from Iceland in September and October, including the 30th
anniversary of the Reykjavík Summit and Katla volcano
keeping scientists on their toes.
22 TRUE COLORS
Icelandic artist Kristjana Williams received world recognition
for her work at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where
200 butterfly-shaped kites were projected onto the façade
of the city’s landmark beach hotel.
24 PRESSING IDEAS
Founders of printing and graphic design company Reykjavík
Letterpress discuss their love of paper and ink and their
passion for design.
26 COLD CASE
Páll Stefánsson captures the contrasts between the rough
and tender beauty of Vatnajökull, the world’s largest glacier
outside the polar regions, in his landscape series.
36 DISCOVERING THE SUBLIME
What is so special about Iceland? Writer, photographer and
globetrotter Jason Visco tries to find out on his first visit to
the country.
40 HEALTH AND HEALING IN HVERAGERÐI
Zoë Robert and photographer Áslaug Snorradóttir visit the
NFLÍ health clinic in the hot spring town of Hveragerði and
learn from patients and professionals about the clinic’s
holistic approach to healing.
46 VISIONS OF VIÐEY
Eygló Svala Arnarsdóttir takes a trip to Viðey island off
Reykjavík with Rev. Þórir Stephensen, who used to serve as
the island’s curator, learning about its significant history.
52 EYE ON PARADISE
Young and ambitious documentary photographer Ellen Inga
Hannesdóttir discusses her work with Rachel Mercer.
58 PUTTING A PRICE ON NATURE
In his opinion piece, Halldór Lárusson argues that
businesses, from tourism, to aluminum smelting and fish
farming, should pay a fair price for exploiting Iceland’s
natural resources.
64 REDUCED TO ASHES
The European witch craze reached Iceland in the 17th
century, leading to 25 people being sentenced to death by
burning, primarily in the West Fjords.
68 GEYSIR’S GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Graphic designer Einar Geir Ingvarsson has received
recognition for his signature classic style, apparent in his
advertisements for clothing line Geysir and the layout for
photo book Faces of the North by Ragnar Axelsson (RAX).
72 STATE OF THE FOURTH ESTATE
Zoë Robert questions professor of media studies Birgir
Guðmundsson about the challenges, realities and prospects
for journalism in Iceland.
76 ON A QUEST
Recently elected chair of the National Queer Organization
of Iceland María Helga Guðmundsdóttir tells Ingibjörg Rósa
Björnsdóttir about the challenges of the LGBTQ community
at home and abroad.
80 A NEW TOMORROW
Young politicians discuss their goals for the upcoming term,
just before the general election on October 29 and their
visions for the future of Iceland.
86 SLAUGHTER SEASON
Eygló Svala Arnarsdóttir makes slátur—liver sausage and
blood pudding—with her extended family, an age-old
Icelandic tradition.
92 STRANDED
In this issue’s second landscape series, Páll Stefánsson
presents the eerie beauty of the remote Strandir region in
the West Fjords.
97 SUPPLEMENT
– WELCOME TO WEST ICELAND
Rich in history, West Iceland invites visitors to experience
the ‘saga land’—where many of the Icelandic sagas took
place. With diverse landscapes and an array of activities, the
region has something for everyone.
117 SUPPLEMENT
– SEAFOOD ICELAND CONFERENCE 2016
Representatives of fishing and fisheries-related companies
will meet to discuss sustainability, processing and marketing
seafood in Harpa, Reykjavík, November 24-25.
125 SUPPLEMENT
– NORTHERN LIGHTS
As winter falls, the northern lights become visible in the
dark sky and tourism operators offer a wide variety of tours,
often combining exciting outdoor activities with viewing the
amazing aurora borealis.
144 LAST PAGE
Checkmate! Batel Goitom Haile is the U10 female Icelandic
chess champion.