Obesity has been a hot topic in Iceland in recent months and some claim the rate is one of the highest in Europe.  more

After a nasty cold spell with frosty temperatures and snowfall in north and east Iceland, summer arrived in all parts of the country last weekend with the temperature reaching 15°C (59°F) in the southwest. As of Wednesday, temperatures are expected to take a steep upwards swing in north and east Iceland.  more

Click on the picture to watch an audio slideshow of how traditional Icelandic pancakes are made. They are different from what people call pancakes in many parts of the world; small, round, thin and sweet and are either rolled up with sugar or wrapped up in squares filled with jam—often blueberry—and whipped cream.  more

Located just 40 minutes by car and six minutes from Keflavík International Airport, Sandgerdi (“Sandy Hedge”) is a growing town of 1,700 with a storied history and loads to see. Read this special promotion about the hidden secrets of one of Iceland's most charming seaside villages.  more

Since 1919, the Icelandic National League of North America has greatly contributed to North American cultural life while celebrating its members’ heritage. Its current president and Honorary Consul of Toronto, Gail Einarson-McCleery, told Ásta Andrésdóttir about the life of the 19th-century immigrants and the importance of connecting with one’s roots.

Published in the 2012 spring issue of Iceland Review – IR 01.12. By Ásta Andrésdóttir. Photo by Páll Kjartansson.

Founded in 1919 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the Icelandic National League of North America is a non-political, cultural organization linking clubs in the United States and Canada. Eighteen clubs belong to it; a total of 2,200 members. In addition, it has five affiliate organizations including museums, Icelandic heritage sites, clubs and a reading society. Each year, the organization hosts a variety of events pertaining to Icelandic culture and history.

Ásta Andrésdóttir: Do all members of the INL of NA have Icelandic ancestors?

Gail Einarson-McCleery: Almost all of them do, although a few of them are simply crazy about Iceland [laughs]. The vice president of the Toronto club—my home club—is not Icelandic at all but she has been here twelve times. Having said that, of course the majority are descendants of the people who came here during the settlement era, which was from 1873 to 1910.

ÁA: What can you tell me about your own ancestors’ immigration?

GEM: My father’s family came from Iceland in 1874 in a group of 350. They were persuaded to go to Kinmount, Ontario, as people were needed to build a railroad there. Unfortunately the settlement failed because the railroad ran out of money, leaving the poor people almost stranded. Besides, they were really looking for a place where they could found New Iceland. They wanted to be able to continue their language, their traditions and their culture and the Kinmount area had already been settled by people from England, Scotland and other European countries. Fortunately they were brought to the attention of Canada’s Governor General who agreed to relocate them at the government’s expense. A team of explorers was sent out, lead by Sigtryggur Jónasson, who is often referred to as the Father of New Iceland. Eventually, the group settled in Gimli, Manitoba—my hometown—on October 21st 1875. Winter was already coming so it was a difficult time. But they survived and the village started to grow. Those were the beginnings of the Icelandic settlement in North America.

You can read the remainder of this article in the 2012 spring issue of Iceland Review – IR 01.12. Four times a year the print edition of Iceland Review & Atlantica brings you a wealth of articles on all aspects of life in Iceland including Páll Stefánsson's latest images of the country's majestic landscape. Click here to subscribe. Click here to browse through a selection of pages from the current issue.

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Since 1919, the Icelandic National League of North America has greatly contributed to North American cultural life while celebrating its members’ heritage. Its current president and Honorary Consul of Toronto, Gail Einarson-McCleery, told Ásta Andrésdóttir about the life of the 19th-century immigrants and the importance of connecting with one’s roots.  more

Two more gigantic aluminum smelters using green and clean energy produced in Iceland. Is that the best choice we have to secure the future economy of the Republic of Iceland? Or shall we protect the valuable and venerable Icelandic nature for future generations?  more

Starting with the mega-success of CCP’s Eve Online, the Icelandic gaming industry has been steadily growing. Whether a children’s game, legal gambling software or a device that can read your mind, the vision of the people in this burgeoning industry is bound to shape our future.  more

Amiina’s sound is intimate and rife with mellifluous dialogue. Though lyrics are few and far between, that’s not to say Amiina's new album Kurr doesn’t strike a chord with its listeners. On the contrary, it resonates in the most unexpected of ways.  more

Click on the picture to watch an audio slideshow of how traditional Icelandic pancakes are made. They are different from what people call pancakes in many parts of the world; small, round, thin and sweet and are either rolled up with sugar or wrapped up in squares filled with jam—often blueberry—and whipped cream.  more

The current issue of the quarterly magazine Iceland Review includes interviews with fashion photographer Saga Sig and conceptual artist Rúrí. Also, we take you to Grímsstaðir á Fjöllum, that desolate land coveted by a Chinese tycoon, and also explore Icelandic archeological remains. We discuss the Icelandic Church, the flourishing gaming industry, debate the future of Iceland’s energy resources and interview the president of the Icelandic National League of North America. Subscribe now and receive a free photo book by IR’s editor Páll Stefánsson of the Eyjafjallajökull eruptions. Click here to subscribe to the magazine and here to buy a gift subscription.  more

Tilbury’s debut album Exorcise feels kind of like getting drunk in the sun and I recommend you break in the summer with their juicy single “Tenderloin”.  more

The large-scale collaborative “(I)ndependent People” is part of the ongoing Reykjavík Arts Festival, May 18 to June 3, and takes place at a cluster of museums, galleries, artist-run spaces and institutions in the capital area. Focusing on visual art from the Nordic region, “(I)ndependent People” asks if and how collaboration can operate in negotiation between contesting ideas and desires, and yet allow for unplanned action.  more