Iceland review - 2017, Síða 4

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6 FUTURE FASHION
We take a look at the latest creations presented at the
Reykjavík Fashion Festival in March.

8 NEWS ROUNDUP
During the past two months, the Icelandic nation has seen
a decades-old murder case revived, capital controls lifted,
the króna and Iceland’s strongman remain strong, and read
reports of its fertility in the foreign media.
12 TRENDY TEXTILE
The textile exhibition Stólpar – Pillars, held during
DesignMarch, featured a diverse collection of works, rich in
color and originality.
14 DREAMS THAT MOVIES ARE MADE OF
Writer and director Guðmundur Arnar Guðmundsson sits
down with Aron Már Ingham Grímsson to discuss his
award-winning film Heartstone, his dreams and the long
road to success.
18 FORCE OF CREATION
The annual Iceland Writers Retreat has grown from 50
to 150 participants in just four years, bringing together
fledgling writers and established authors. Eygló Svala
Arnarsdóttir meets with its founder Eliza Reid, first lady of
Iceland, to find out more.
21 THE WOMEN AT BESSASTAÐIR
Zoë Robert takes a look at the role of the first lady of Iceland
over the years.
24 GREEN LAND
In the issue’s first landscape series, Páll Stefánsson
captures green parts of Southeast Iceland.

34 MONOCHROME MAN
Ragnar Axelsson, a.k.a. RAX, recently became the first
photographer to be awarded the Icelandic Literary Award
in the category of non-fiction. Here we feature some of the
images from his prize-winning book Faces of the North.
40 THE GUARDIAN
Sheep farmer Heiða Guðný Ásgeirsdóttir is famous for
having fought the energy company planning to flood her
farmland in South Iceland. Eygló Svala Arnarsdóttir meets
with her to learn more about her fight for justice and why
she chose farm over fashion.
46 DAFT ABOUT DILL
Mica Allan and photographer Áslaug Snorradóttir visit Dill,
the most talked-about restaurant in Reykjavík for being
Iceland’s first to earn a Michelin Star.
52 GRAND(I) PALACE
A herring factory in Reykjavík’s Grandi district has been
transformed into a building of contemporary art. Karin
Murray-Bergquist talks to some of the people involved
in shaping the recently-opened center, Marshall House.
58 GLOBAL PROFESSIONAL,
PERSONAL PASSION
Documentary photographer Christina Simons is the
first Icelander to win a Sony World Photography Award.
Alëx Elliott speaks to her about her international career
focusing on human rights and civil liberties.
64 PICTURE POWER
A review of Iceland’s Press Photographs of the Year
2016, which, once again, prove the power of the
picture.
70 POLLUTION IN PARADISE
The ecosystem of Mývatn lake, a popular tourist
destination and protected area in Northeast Iceland,
faces immense environmental pressure caused by
pollution. Vala Hafstað takes a look below the surface.
76 SCHOOL’S OUT
In Bakkafjörður village, Northeast Iceland, the local
school will close for good by the end of May.
Iceland Review visits the shrinking village.
82 DIG IN, DIG OUT
On February 26, the residents of Reykjavík woke up to
the second largest snowfall in the capital’s recorded
history.
88 ROOM WITH A VIEW
The farm Steintún still stands, despite being abandoned
long ago.
92 SIBERIAN WOOD
Driftwood has long been an important source of timber
for farmers. It takes no less than five years for Siberian
driftwood to reach the shores of Iceland.
97 SUPPLEMENT
– EARTH, WIND AND FIRE
Learn all about some of the companies specializing in
making your trip to Iceland a true adventure.
106 SUPPLEMENT – THERMAL BLISS
Our annually-updated swimming pools supplement
is back—an essential guide to your trip around the
country.
128 LAST PAGE
Sand on Hvestudalur beach, the West Fjords.
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
On the cover: from Skaftártunguafréttur
near Langisjór lake in Vestur-Skaftafellssýsla.
Photo by Páll Stefánsson.