Out and Aboutby John BoycePhotos by Páll Stefánsson<strong>Atlantica</strong>’s guide to the social, cultural and sporting events of the summer.<strong>Iceland</strong>ers are renowned for their love of sunshine, probably because they get so verylittle of it. At the first sign of early summer sunshine, the natives come out in theirshorts and sunglasses, while mystified tourists remain huddled in their overcoats andwooly caps. The first rays of sunshine also herald the beginning of a myriad of events—cultural, social and sporting—with something to appeal to all tastes and ages. Oneknows that summer has truly arrived with the advent of the <strong>Iceland</strong>ic IndependenceDay celebrations on 17 June. In terms of popular participation it is by far the biggestevent of the year complete with parades and all day concert offerings. From then untilthe end of September it is a rare weekend that does not provide entertainment aplenty.The following are some of the highlights to set off your <strong>Iceland</strong>ic summer experience.54 atlantica
Out and About aCultural EventsThe Sigurjón Ólafsson Museum, dedicated to one of <strong>Iceland</strong>’s most renownedartists, clears its main hall weekly to host a feast of classical music. Every Tuesdayfrom the middle of <strong>July</strong> to early September members of the <strong>Iceland</strong>ic philharmonicorchestra perform a wide variety of pieces from domestic and international composers.A more intense classical experience is to be had at the International ClassicalMusic festival at Reykholt, a small municipality in the west of the island just northof Reykjavík. Held annually since 1997, in the last week of <strong>July</strong>, the festival is celebratedin Reykholt church, once home to renowned Saga writer Snorri Sturluson.For a more comprehensive cultural experience, the second last weekend in<strong>August</strong> plays host to another of the biggest gatherings of the year. Saturday the21st is the annual Menningarnótt, or Culture Night. All forms of cultural and artisticpursuits are represented, with concerts, exhibitions and performances taking placein the streets, cafés, museums and concert halls of the capital. Most of the eventsare free and run from early afternoon long into the evening, ending with a spectacularfireworks show near the old harbor.Lovers of contemporary and classical jazz will revel in the Reykjavík InternationalJazz Festival in <strong>August</strong>. The festival has its origins in the <strong>No</strong>rdic Jazz Days event thatbegan in 1990. As it celebrates its twentieth anniversary, the festival will be biggerthan ever, running from 13 <strong>August</strong> to 1 September. The festival features over fiftyevents from solo performances to big band blow outs, by both <strong>Iceland</strong>ic artists andinternational acts from Scandinavia, France, Austria and the USA.Following hot on the heels of the jazz celebrations is the Reykjavík InternationalFilm Festival. Growing in strength from year to year, the event, now in its 7th year,will feature more than 70 films from over 20 different countries. The films competein a number of categories, ranging from short films to new directors, including thetop prize, the Golden Puffin.Social EventsThe last weekend of <strong>July</strong>, 23 – 25, is perfect for heading out to the East Fjords to visitBorgarfjördur Eystri for the music festival Braedslan held in an old herring factory.The village has just under 100 inhabitants but the festival attracts 1,000 visitorsevery year. The line-up this year has the cream of the crop of <strong>Iceland</strong>ic pop, rock andfolk, including Dikta, KK and Ellen, 200,000 Naglbítar and others.The first weekend of <strong>August</strong> is the biggest holiday weekend of the year,verslunarmannahelgi (workers’ weekend). The closest equivalent <strong>Iceland</strong> has to anAmerican style labor day, the holiday prompts a massive exodus from the capital,as families and groups take off around the country to spend the weekend in tentsand summer houses. Go fishing in <strong>Iceland</strong>’s pristine trout lakes, head to the countrysideor mountains, or blend in with the natives at one of the many music festivalsand social events that take place around the country. The most renowned oneand drawing the most people takes place on Heimaey in the Westman Islands andattracts hordes of <strong>Iceland</strong>ic music fans each year, ending with a spectacular bonfireand sing-along on Sunday night.It is also the one weekend of the year that leaves the city center unusually calm,perfect for those who want to stay behind and party with a little more elbow room.Look out for Innipúkinn indoor music festival held in Reykjavík the same weekend.The national partying continues on the second weekend with the four day gaypride celebrations. The event is truly a phenomenon in Reykjavík, bringing enormouscrowds on to main street Laugavegur, followed by an open air concert in thecentre. In attendance, it is an event that is only surpassed by Independence Daycelebrations. In recent years it has become a truly family event with kids and adultsalike lining the streets as the lavish and meticulously planned parade winds its waydowntown. Long after families have retired for the evening, the younger generation,gay and straight alike, party until the small hours.For a complete alternative to gay pride mayhem, escape to the <strong>No</strong>rth, to thepicturesque town of Dalvík for the Big Fish Day. Every year, thousands of peopledescend on the town of little more than 1,500 people. Guests are invited to theharbor for a free fish soup in celebration of the importance of sea creatures to islandlife. The food is followed by all sorts of entertainment throughout the afternoon.atlantica 55
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