May
17
|
The Season’s First Hike (ESA)
With summer being around the corner, it’s time to bring out those hiking boots.
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The festival Reykjavík Music Mess kicks off at KEX Hostel in the center of the capital with an opening party on May 23 at 8 pm. An art exhibition themed around the participating bands will open at the occasion and Boogie Trouble will play a few songs. Entry is free.
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Watch an interview with novelist Jón Kalman Stefánsson
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01.02.2013 | 18:00
Die Hard, Video Rentals Closing in Reykjavík
Grensásvídeó is the latest video store in Iceland’s capital to close its doors due to increased competition with illegal internet downloads and the availability of movies straight from the television via telecom companies.
Grensásvídeó owner Ragnar Snorrason. Source: Facebook.
“It’s the competition with the internet which makes this business completely hopeless, despite having worked hard to have material which is not available in other places in the country, a lot of Nordic, British, Italian and French material,” Ragnar Snorrason, owner of Grensásvídeó, said in an interview with mbl.is.
Ragnar has been building up his collection of films from all corners of the world for the past ten years but says the market in Iceland for such films is simply too small.
“People rarely come and ask for new movies. It was not long ago when you had to have several copies of new movies. This business is dead, simple as that. It would be completely different if we were in a city of one million. That would be three or four times my customers.”
After the closure of Grensásvídeó, Laugarásvídeó will be the last major rental in the capital area.
Ragnar says the store will stay open over the coming days while he tries to sell stock from his collection.
PS
“It’s the competition with the internet which makes this business completely hopeless, despite having worked hard to have material which is not available in other places in the country, a lot of Nordic, British, Italian and French material,” Ragnar Snorrason, owner of Grensásvídeó, said in an interview with mbl.is.
Ragnar has been building up his collection of films from all corners of the world for the past ten years but says the market in Iceland for such films is simply too small.
“People rarely come and ask for new movies. It was not long ago when you had to have several copies of new movies. This business is dead, simple as that. It would be completely different if we were in a city of one million. That would be three or four times my customers.”
After the closure of Grensásvídeó, Laugarásvídeó will be the last major rental in the capital area.
Ragnar says the store will stay open over the coming days while he tries to sell stock from his collection.
PS
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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
May
15
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Shorts & Docs Galore
The 11th Reykjavík Shorts & Docs. Catch it while it lasts!
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May
13
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Nurturing Your Own Nature
Fida Abu Libdeh moved to Iceland from East Jerusalem at 16, made her way through the Icelandic education system and now runs a promising startup company.
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May
13
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Reykjavík Arts Festival 2013
The 27th Reykjavík Arts Festival starts this week.
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