The President in Iceland likes to think he has absolute power. Luckily, the position is largely ceremonial.
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Icelandic band Sigur Rós performed their new single 'Kveikur' on Jay Leno's The Tonight Show on NBC yesterday evening.
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Watch an audio slideshow of how traditional Icelandic rhubarb stew is made. Rhubarb is one of the few vegetables that grows effortlessly in Iceland and for that reason it used to be a highly-valued addition to the traditional diet of fish and lamb.
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Jón Ásgeir Jóhannesson purchased a 25 percent share in the British meat processing company Muddy Boots, his first investment in the British retail market since Icelandic investment company Baugur, of which he was CEO and later chair, was declared bankrupt in 2009.
According to The Telegraph, Muddy Boots is a Worcestershire-based premium burger business founded by husband and wife Roland and Miranda Ballard. Jón Ásgeir has also joined the company’s board as a non-executive director.
Mrs. Ballard confirmed the move: “We really wanted Jón on board. We had four firm offers of investment and we chose Jón. We trust him and we like him and we wanted someone with a bit of guts, as well as experience in retail.”
As reported last week, Jón Ásgeir and the other three defendants in the so-called Aurum case denied charges when it was filed at Reykjavík District Court.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor had earlier filed charges against Jón Ásgeir Jóhannesson, Lárus Welding, Magnús Arnar Arngrímsson and Bjarni Jóhannesson. Jón Ásgeir and Bjarni are facing charges as abettors in the breach of trust case and Lárus and Magnús as main defendants.
The defense attorneys objected to the 6,000 pages of evidence submitted by the Special Prosecutor on the grounds that the defendants and their attorneys had not had the opportunity to review the documentation.
The case was postponed until Wednesday.
Click here to read more about the court case and here for more on Jón Ásgeir’s ambitions of returning to the UK retail market.
ZR
This year, Iceland Review celebrates its 50th anniversary. In ‘Cover Story’, the magazine’s first editor, Haraldur J. Hamar, recalls its history and discusses the work of its first designer, Gísli B. Björnsson. The issue is packed with colorful articles, ranging from notable artists and athletes to memorable coffee and pancakes at the Reykjavík wharf. Click here to subscribe to Iceland Review and here to look at a selection of pages from the current issue.
REVIEWS
The 11th Reykjavík Shorts & Docs. Catch it while it lasts!
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Artist couple Nína Ivanova and Ómar Smári Kristinsson explain why they decided to settle in the West Fjords’ capital.
Reykjavík Queer Choir’s annual spring concert takes place on Friday, May 24.
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