Deep North: Stories from Iceland

Open Books

Iceland's priceless manuscript collection has a new home.

Of Ashes and Evergreens

A look at the Hekla Forest, one of Iceland's greatest success stories in forestry.

Where There’s Fire

The eruptions on the Reykanes peninsula in 2021 and 2022 once again propelled Iceland’s volcanoes into the global consciousness. The last time this happened was in 2010, when Eyjafjallajökull’s ash cloud grounded an estimated 10 million air travellers. By contrast, the latest social media-friendly eruptions, a half-hour drive from the capital, attracted even more tourists to the island’s already strained post-COVID hospitality industry.
Although at any given time there’s a 50/50 chance a volcanic eruption is ongoing in Iceland, the last time the Reykjanes peninsula witnessed an active volcano was in the 12th century. The eruptions were part of a sustained period of volcanic activity that spanned more than 200 years, known to Icelanders as the “Reykjavík Fires.” Could these latest eruptions herald a new era of volcanic activity on the peninsula, near the homes of over two-thirds of Iceland’s population?   

Give a Man a Fish

It’s the first day of the coastal fishing season, and for the next three months, these independent fishermen on their small boats will let their lines out each morning, each bringing back just about 774 kilos of sparkling fresh cod each afternoon. For Guðmundur, steering his boat away from shore, cup of coffee still in his hand and the engine purring, this is the best part of his day. 

Pooling Together

The tagline of Jón Karl’s Swimming Pool Stories reads as follows: “The Russians have their vodka. The Finns have their saunas. And the Icelanders have their pools.” 
But unlike those first two, Icelandic swimming pool culture is relatively young. It began in the early 20th century, when a national awakening to the inordinate number of drownings among fishermen was taking place.
A "deep dive" in the history and culture of Iceland's pools.

Wrecked

The tragic story of the stranding at Djúpalónssandur.

Sparsity Blues

The Einherjar football team was founded in the year of our unlordly economic meltdown. 2008. They played their first match in 2016 – but all of their games are friendlies. Not yet recognised by the National Olympic and Sports Association of Iceland (ÍSÍ), the Einherjar, Iceland's only American football team, must fend for themselves.

Home Cook

The Westman Islands are home to some of the most exciting tastes you've never heard of.

A Matter of State

The Council of Europe, held in Reykjavík this May, was the largest such event since the 1986 Reagan-Gorbachev summit.

Man of the People

Gísli Einarsson must rank as one of Iceland’s most prolific television producers. When afforded the opportunity of stepping behind the camera and training his lens upon the world, Gísli’s audience saw the world not as it was – but as Gísli was: it took a true rustic, proud of his provincial manners and heritage, to make it to the national broadcaster in Reykjavík and focus our collective attention on the people of rural Iceland. This most domestically-travelled man in Iceland (such is his reputation) has now produced over 500 episodes for his TV series Landinn (e. The Local), and he’s recently staged a show on the subject of his own travels. This makes him, in the eyes of Iceland Review, the ideal interlocutor.