Einar Steinn Valgarðsson
Certified travel blogger
My blogs
Eistnaflug 2016 Review, Pt. I
A personal review of Eistnaflug 2016. Photo by Eríkur Simonsen. Poster courtesy of Eistnaflug. Neskaupstaður is a usually a fairly quiet little fishing town. It has a population of roughly 1500 people and is located by the beautiful fjord Norðfjörður, with impressive mountains looming above and stretching towards the sea. For 12 years, however, it has been the location of one of Iceland's most beloved and renowned music festivals, the metal festival Eistnaflug. Over the course of 3-4 days, the population is doubled as people from all over come to rock, socialize and generally have a gre
Happy Summer!
Anyone visiting Iceland at this time of year might be surprised to hear about festivities in town, celebrating the first day of summer, April 25th. Wait, what? What‘s with the snow today? And what happened to spring? At best, this seems to imply a lot of wishful thinking. Indeed, weather in Iceland in April seems like it‘s trying to make its mind up whether to stay in winter mode or turn to spring mode. The darling buds of April are appearing and sometimes the weather is warm and cosy, while at others cold and windy, adding the occasional rain, snow and frost. Then again, that‘s typical Ic
Flying Testicles Festival - Eistnaflug 2016 Review, Pt. I
A personal review of Eistnaflug 2016 Photo courtesy of Eistnaflug Neskaupstaður is a usually a fairly quiet little fishing town. It has a population of roughly 1500 people and is located by the beautiful fjord Norðfjörður, with impressive mountains looming above and stretching towards the sea. For 12 years, however, it has been the location of one of Iceland most beloved and renowned music festivals, the metal festival Eistnaflug. Over the course of 3-4 days, the population is doubled as people from all over come to rock, socialize and generally have a great time. Trailer for the Eistn
Music, Art & Party: Some cool stuff in February
The following message has been approved of by the Fonz. One does not simply question the Fonz.* 1) The international Sonar festival, dedicated to advanced music and new media art, travels to Reykjavik this coming month and will be celebrated on the 15th and 16th of February. The festival highlights the most interesting homegrown talent and the scene in the city where it is celebrated. The festival originates in Barcelona in Spain and is held there annually but also travels to other cities. Sonar is always focused on the current landscape of electronic music and the interactions and mashu
RIFF - Reykjavík International Film Festival 2014
Its poster has a giant Godzilla-esque puffin wrecking havoc in Reykjavík. If this hasn't already dragged you in, consider the fact that RIFF is one of Iceland's greatest and most diverse cultural events. This annual film festival, starting today, September 22. and lasting until October 5th, draws Icelanders and people all over the world to check out what is fresh and new in international film making. Add to that discussions with directors, panels, lectures, concerts, photo exhibitions and unorthodox viewing experiences, such as watching a film from a swimming pool, at a drive-in cinema or ev
Einar Went to the Movies II: Málmhaus
Last year I had the privilege of going to a pre-screening of the film Málmhaus (‘Metalhead’) by Icelandic director Ragnar Bragason. I was already a fan of his previous movies and the Nightwatch/Daywatch/Prisonwatch TV-series, as well as being a fan of heavy metal, so I was excited to see his latest release. The film centers on Hera, who as a young girl loses her brother, a heavy metal fan to whom she’d been close, to a tragic and fatal accident. We then encounter her as a young woman and metalhead, rebellious and alienated, seeking solace and outlet in the metal as well as somewhat adopting
Happy 13th of Christmas!
Þrettándinn, January 6th, is the last day of Christmas, as it is celebrated in Iceland. I wrote a bit about it exactly a year ago. As with New Year‘s Eve, this is a time when Icelanders gather with their family and/or party, bonfires are lit and fireworks are, well, fired. Indeed the sky is ablaze and a strong sulphur smell follows the next day. If you intend to sleep that night in Reykjavik, I suggest earplugs. As with New Year‘s Eve and Christmas, there is plenty of folklore connected with the Thirteenth, cows are said to be able to speak on that night, elves move places, seals take off t
Reykjavík Culture Night 2013
Tomorrow, August, 24th, the people of Reykjavík will celebrate their 18th Culture Night, with all kinds of cultural events taking place throughout the city in streets, squares, alleys, parks, galleries, culture houses and even in some people’s own homes. The locals of Reykjavík join in creating and enjoying this festival, and it has become one of the largest and most popular event in the country. This is a great opportunity to see the best of Icelandic art and enjoy great company with surprise events. The events are too numerous to list in this blog, but you can read a full schedule her
Last chance to catch the Reykjavik Shorts & Docs Festival 2013
The annual Reykjavik Shorts & Docs film festival ends tomorrow, May 16th. The festival features both short films, animations and documentary films from around the world. The festival especially strives to include new talent and to offer a cozy atmosphere for the screenings and aims at showing films that are challenging, sexy, funny outrageous and exucational or otherwise films that are essential viewing. For a full scedule and more info, check the festival's website. Despite its two screenings being over in Iceland, if you should get the chance to see A World Not Ours anywhere, I wo
Buns & Bakeries, Tea & ale: Four Weird Icelandic Sayings
Gotta love language. I especially love sayings in different languages. Sometimes these will be the same or similar between countries and sometimes completely different. My favourites are probably those that seem to make little or no sense at all, even to native speakers. Here are four local ones: 1) Hann/hún vildi fá eitthvað fyrir snúð sinn = He/she wanted something for his/her bun (well, actually for his/her effort/trouble). The word "snúður" typically refers to a cinnamon bun but it‘s original meaning is a twist, as in a spinning wheel. "Að snúast" indeed means to turn or, indirectly
My blogs
Eistnaflug 2016 Review, Pt. I
A personal review of Eistnaflug 2016. Photo by Eríkur Simonsen. Poster courtesy of Eistnaflug. Neskaupstaður is a usually a fairly quiet little fishing town. It has a population of roughly 1500 people and is located by the beautiful fjord Norðfjörður, with impressive mountains looming above and stretching towards the sea. For 12 years, however, it has been the location of one of Iceland's most beloved and renowned music festivals, the metal festival Eistnaflug. Over the course of 3-4 days, the population is doubled as people from all over come to rock, socialize and generally have a gre
Happy Summer!
Anyone visiting Iceland at this time of year might be surprised to hear about festivities in town, celebrating the first day of summer, April 25th. Wait, what? What‘s with the snow today? And what happened to spring? At best, this seems to imply a lot of wishful thinking. Indeed, weather in Iceland in April seems like it‘s trying to make its mind up whether to stay in winter mode or turn to spring mode. The darling buds of April are appearing and sometimes the weather is warm and cosy, while at others cold and windy, adding the occasional rain, snow and frost. Then again, that‘s typical Ic
Flying Testicles Festival - Eistnaflug 2016 Review, Pt. I
A personal review of Eistnaflug 2016 Photo courtesy of Eistnaflug Neskaupstaður is a usually a fairly quiet little fishing town. It has a population of roughly 1500 people and is located by the beautiful fjord Norðfjörður, with impressive mountains looming above and stretching towards the sea. For 12 years, however, it has been the location of one of Iceland most beloved and renowned music festivals, the metal festival Eistnaflug. Over the course of 3-4 days, the population is doubled as people from all over come to rock, socialize and generally have a great time. Trailer for the Eistn
Music, Art & Party: Some cool stuff in February
The following message has been approved of by the Fonz. One does not simply question the Fonz.* 1) The international Sonar festival, dedicated to advanced music and new media art, travels to Reykjavik this coming month and will be celebrated on the 15th and 16th of February. The festival highlights the most interesting homegrown talent and the scene in the city where it is celebrated. The festival originates in Barcelona in Spain and is held there annually but also travels to other cities. Sonar is always focused on the current landscape of electronic music and the interactions and mashu
RIFF - Reykjavík International Film Festival 2014
Its poster has a giant Godzilla-esque puffin wrecking havoc in Reykjavík. If this hasn't already dragged you in, consider the fact that RIFF is one of Iceland's greatest and most diverse cultural events. This annual film festival, starting today, September 22. and lasting until October 5th, draws Icelanders and people all over the world to check out what is fresh and new in international film making. Add to that discussions with directors, panels, lectures, concerts, photo exhibitions and unorthodox viewing experiences, such as watching a film from a swimming pool, at a drive-in cinema or ev
Einar Went to the Movies II: Málmhaus
Last year I had the privilege of going to a pre-screening of the film Málmhaus (‘Metalhead’) by Icelandic director Ragnar Bragason. I was already a fan of his previous movies and the Nightwatch/Daywatch/Prisonwatch TV-series, as well as being a fan of heavy metal, so I was excited to see his latest release. The film centers on Hera, who as a young girl loses her brother, a heavy metal fan to whom she’d been close, to a tragic and fatal accident. We then encounter her as a young woman and metalhead, rebellious and alienated, seeking solace and outlet in the metal as well as somewhat adopting
Happy 13th of Christmas!
Þrettándinn, January 6th, is the last day of Christmas, as it is celebrated in Iceland. I wrote a bit about it exactly a year ago. As with New Year‘s Eve, this is a time when Icelanders gather with their family and/or party, bonfires are lit and fireworks are, well, fired. Indeed the sky is ablaze and a strong sulphur smell follows the next day. If you intend to sleep that night in Reykjavik, I suggest earplugs. As with New Year‘s Eve and Christmas, there is plenty of folklore connected with the Thirteenth, cows are said to be able to speak on that night, elves move places, seals take off t
Reykjavík Culture Night 2013
Tomorrow, August, 24th, the people of Reykjavík will celebrate their 18th Culture Night, with all kinds of cultural events taking place throughout the city in streets, squares, alleys, parks, galleries, culture houses and even in some people’s own homes. The locals of Reykjavík join in creating and enjoying this festival, and it has become one of the largest and most popular event in the country. This is a great opportunity to see the best of Icelandic art and enjoy great company with surprise events. The events are too numerous to list in this blog, but you can read a full schedule her
Last chance to catch the Reykjavik Shorts & Docs Festival 2013
The annual Reykjavik Shorts & Docs film festival ends tomorrow, May 16th. The festival features both short films, animations and documentary films from around the world. The festival especially strives to include new talent and to offer a cozy atmosphere for the screenings and aims at showing films that are challenging, sexy, funny outrageous and exucational or otherwise films that are essential viewing. For a full scedule and more info, check the festival's website. Despite its two screenings being over in Iceland, if you should get the chance to see A World Not Ours anywhere, I wo
Buns & Bakeries, Tea & ale: Four Weird Icelandic Sayings
Gotta love language. I especially love sayings in different languages. Sometimes these will be the same or similar between countries and sometimes completely different. My favourites are probably those that seem to make little or no sense at all, even to native speakers. Here are four local ones: 1) Hann/hún vildi fá eitthvað fyrir snúð sinn = He/she wanted something for his/her bun (well, actually for his/her effort/trouble). The word "snúður" typically refers to a cinnamon bun but it‘s original meaning is a twist, as in a spinning wheel. "Að snúast" indeed means to turn or, indirectly
Photos by me
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