10 years ago, the world watched as Iceland began crowdsourcing a new constitution. Today, the country still waits. And waits. And waits. And ...
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Issue 09
2020
www.gpv.is
10 years ago, the world watched as Iceland began
crowdsourcing a new constitution.
Today, the country still waits.
And waits.
And waits.
And waits.
And waits.
And waits.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS WITH ÓLAFUR ARNALDS ,
MAMMÚT & RAX , WE VISIT SANDVÍK , EAT VEGAN CAKE & MORE
COVER PHOTO:
The cover image "HVAR ER NÝJA
is a mashup of a STJÓRNARSKRÁIN"
photo of Althingi mural by
by Jói Kjartans, Skiltamálun Reykjavíkur.
shot in 2010, Photocollage by
and the Sveinbjörn Pálsson.
First
07: Don't F?©% With Týr 11: Bedroom Burlesque 28: Vegan Cakes!
06: Do Icelanders Even 18: Auðn... :( 30: Amateur Astrologers
Djent Bro? 20: Rakel Tomas In Write Haikus
06: Hospitals Cost Money Black And White 31: Sandvík Fun
EDITORIAL
Iceland has had its fair share of local
COVIDiots, but they’ve quickly been
When Rome Burns, Someone
dealt with, mostly with a good flow of
correct information, thanks to the daily
briefings with our top scientists that
Always Plays The Violin
have done an incredible job in protect-
ing the Icelandic population from the
pandemic. And in my opinion, this has
Iceland—like the But back to my original train of been the backbone in the battle of the
rest of the world— thought: we are standing at a crossroad. virus, and if we go through something
is at an interest- We have a vaccine on the horizon, but similar again—gods forbid—this is the
ing crossroads. we’re languishing in pandemic fatigue. biggest lesson. Because, it turns out,
The pandemic is “Carelessness” is probably a better that there is always someone willing to
still going strong, word. Iceland did well during the first play the violin, no matter if the whole
while it’s more wave, although we lost ten people. It world is burning.
than clear now was a true shock and it underlined for This pandemic has taken a serious
that disease prevention measures like Icelanders how serious this virus is. It toll. It has affected our lives, our liveli-
gathering bans, enhanced hygiene and was an admirable united action that the hoods, and even taken our loved ones
wearing masks are working. There are whole nation participated in, when we from us. The only way forward is unity.
alternative ways to fight the pandemic. got the infection rate down to almost This is how nations overcome obsta-
Most notable the relaxed approach in nothing. And our reward was a pretty cles. And it’s a healthy reminder about
Sweden, but even there the govern- normal summer (that’s the 2020 defini- those who choose to polarise societies
ment has imposed similar restrictions tion of normal). But the third wave was and groups—the welfare of the whole
to other Nordic countries. Of course, no less of a shock. We lost 16 lives in the community is not in their interest.
I’m not talking about the US in this span of three months. The most serious So hang in there, keep up the good
context. Because it’s impossible to turn of events was an outbreak at the work, ignore the one that tries to divide
battle a pandemic if the tools of infec- Landakot hospital, which has not been you, and be patient. Together we will
tion protection have been politically fully resolved and will undoubtedly reap defeat the virus. There is no other
weaponized. Who could imagine that more consequences. simple solution to this problem other
something as trivial as wearing a mask But things are getting better. The than to stand united.
would be political? It will be an excruci- domestic infection rate is dropping
ating moment to explain the hundreds rapidly, and will hopefully have a Valur Grettisson
of thousands of unnecessary deaths to normal Christmas (again, I’m using the Editor-in-chief
future generations. Good luck with that. 2020 definition of normal).
Aðalsteinn Jörunds- Hannah Jane Cohen is Pollý is a hard-work- Iona Rangeley-Wilson Sveinbjörn Pálsson Art Bicnick is an Andie Sophia Fontaine Jess Distill is a Valur Grettisson is
son or the “Main based out of Iceland ing journalist by day is an English gradu- is our Art Director. international man has lived in Iceland musician, artist and an award-winning
Stone” like his name by way of New York. and an enthusiastic ate from the UK. She He's responsible for of mystery. He since 1999 and has wannabe writer from journalist, author
literally translates to, She's known for her ball-catcher by writes children’s the design of the moves like a shadow been reporting since St. Albans, England. As and playwright. He
is the King of Sales at love of Willa Ford, night. A four-year-old books, but has de- magazine and the through the subcul- 2003. They were the a long time lover of has been writing for
the Reykjavík Grape- David Foster Wallace, dachshund mix with cided to also go into cover photography. tures and soirees first foreign-born Iceland, and recent Icelandic media since
vine. He probably has and other such an IQ of a five-year- journalism on the When he's not work- of Reykjavík, never member of the copywriting diploma 2005. He was also a
a more professional "intellectuals." Her old human, Pollý has absolutely minuscule ing here, he DJs as still, often ghosting Icelandic Parliament, graduate, Jess came theatre critic and
title, but no one cares. visionary work is been the official off-chance that her Terrordisco, hosts the scene in a puff an experience they to the Grapevine to one of the hosts of
He’s the man to known for expand- Chief Of Morale at first book doesn’t the Funkþátturinn of blue smoke—the recommend for expand her writing the cultural program,
contact if you want ing the definitions of the Grapevine for immediately turn radio show, or sits at exhaust fumes of the anyone who wants portfolio whilst see- 'Djöflaeyjan' at RÚV.
to give us money in emotion, introspec- eight months and is her into a multimil- a table in a Laugarda- elusive, well-travelled to experience a ing if she could hack Valur is not to be
exchange for adver- tion, and above all a regular contribu- lionaire. Her hobbies lur café, drinking Bicnick Mini. workplace where it as an Icelandic confused with the
tising your booming else, taste. Hannah is tor to the Grape- include getting up copious amounts of colleagues work tire- resident. dreadful football club
business. also the current Drag vine Newscast on late and indulging in coffee and thinking lessly to undermine that bears the same
King of Iceland, HANS. YouTube. Woof. illusions of grandeur. about fonts. each other. name.
Experience
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others might refer to as “the Arctic.”
Call it what you will. We just live here.
Shop at 66north.com
Keeping Iceland warm since 1926 Follow us on Instagram @66north
First The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 09— 2020
4
Sigríður Andersen, not wearing a mask. Photo from 2019... but still!
What Are Icelanders always, foreigners are hit espe-
cially hard: despite comprising
Talking About?
about 14% of the total population,
41% of the unemployed are foreign-
ers. Poles, who comprise Iceland’s
largest ethnic minority, have been
The topics that are getting people hit especially hard, making up
banned from the comments 20% of Iceland’s unemployed, even
though they comprise just about
Words: Andie Sophia Fontaine Photos: Art Bicnick, Ásgeir Bragi Ægisson 5% of the total population.
Ásgeir Bragi Ægisson, or Ouse,
as he calls himself, is a 19-year-old
NEWS As with most countries, Arts. In the meantime, he received from the small northwest town of
the coronavirus pandemic many applications for jobs and Sauðárkrókur. He also happens to
is at the forefront of Icelanders’ numerous bookings, which he be one of the top ranking Icelandic
minds these days. With plans for deliberately frustrated by error artists on Spotify right now, with
a vaccine now shaping up, as well messages he put in the site. So, his single Dead Eyes exceeding
as now being able to boast the nice job, we guess? 36 million plays—about 4 million
lowest infection rate in Europe, Unemployment has many more than Björk’s most played
many Icelanders are beginning Icelanders worried these days. song, "It’s Oh So Quiet." How did
to see the light at the end of the Jobless levels are predicted to he do it? Not even Ásgeir seems
tunnel—and not a moment too reach a whopping 11.3% this sure, but he isn’t complaining.
soon, as the winter holidays are December, exceeding the Febru- He’s signed a deal with American
rapidly approaching. However, two ary and March 2009 peak of 9.3%, label Twelve Tones with a contract
7 COURSE MPs for the Independence Party— which followed the collapse of worth tens of millions of ISK. A
CHRISTMAS
Sigríður Á. Andersen and Brynjar Iceland’s financial sector. As country boy can survive, indeed!
Níelsson—have been very critical
of the pandemic restrictions,
MENU
which they see as largely unneces-
sary. Both of them are members of
“Út úr kófinu” (“Out of the hut”), a
small but vocal group of Icelanders
skeptical of the pandemic restric-
STARTERS
tions.
Icelandic landscape In other news, Mom Air has
Lamb tartar, pickled red onions, smoked turned out to be an art project the
cream cheese, dill oil, vinegar snow whole time. While this was strongly
suspected by the Grapevine and
Cured salmon others due to some obvious clues
Fennel cream, dill mayo, raspberries, roe left by artist Oddur Eysteinn
and rye bread Friðriksson when the “budget
airline” first launched, Oddur
Deer tataki
emphatically denied that this was
Pickled red onions, enoki mushrooms, crispy the case, insisting that it was a
Jerusalem artichokes, truffle & yuzu mayo real airline with staff, airplanes,
airport slots and everything. But
Pan-fried giant scallops
then he revealed at a press confer-
Pine tree, green pea purée, beurre noisette
ence on November 18th that the
whole thing was his final project
MAIN COURSES for the Iceland University of the Ouse with them Bieber vibes
Duck breast
Celery purée, apples, pickled fennel and cherry
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF COPY EDITOR SALES DIRECTORS FOUNDERS Borgarnes, Keflavík,
sauce Valur Grettisson Catharine Fulton Aðalsteinn Hilmar Steinn Ísafjörður and
valur@grapevine.is Grétarsson, at key locations
Jörundsson along road #1, and
Grilled beef tenderloin Published by INTERN adalsteinn@grapevine.is Hörður Kristbjörnsson, all major tourist
ART DIRECTOR Iona Rangeley-Wilson Jón Trausti attractions and
Helgi Þór Harðarson
Roasted carrots with pistachios, artichoke&white Fröken ehf.
Hafnarstræti 15, Sveinbjörn Pálsson iona@grapevine.is helgi@grapevine.is Sigurðarson, tourist information
sveinbjorn@grapevine.is Oddur Óskar centres in the
chocolate purée and Christmas beer hollandaise 101 Reykjavík Jess Distill
Jess@grapevine.is Kjartansson, country. You may not
www.grapevine.is CONTACT US: like it, but at least
grapevine@grapevine.is NEWS EDITOR Valur Gunnarsson it's not sponsored
—» Editorial (no articles in the
Andie Sophia Fontaine PHOTOGRAPHERS +354 540 3600
CHRISTMAS DESSERT Member of the
andie@grapevine.is Daria Endresen editor@grapevine.is The Reykjavík
Reykjavík Grapevine
are pay-for articles.
Icelandic Travel Ragnar Axelsson —» Advertising Grapevine is The opinions
Cristmas “ball” Industry Association
CULTURE EDITOR
Sunna Ben
354 540 3605 published 21 times
a year by Fröken
expressed are the
www.saf.is Hannah Jane Cohen ads@grapevine.is writers’ own, not the
Salted caramel white chocolate mousse, apple hannah@grapevine.is —» Distribution
ltd. Monthly from
December through
advertisers’).
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& Subscriptions
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magazine may be
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Book your table at apotek.is Hilmar Steinn
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APOTEK KITCHEN+BAR Austurstræti 16 101 Reykjavík Seyðisfjörður,
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First 6 The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 09— 2020
ASK A
Music
Historian
Q: When Was The First
Icelandic Guitar Solo?
Next up: get rid of those firestations!
offered a simple suggestion of her own:
Hospital Asked To Cut 4.3B ISK
“I want to see that more slack is given,
that the government funds the health
care system as needed, as is being done
in countries around us. It’s all about
MPs question the wisdom of the move priorities.”
Iceland has certainly made a name
Sparing patients for itself as a seemingly boundless
NEWS Landspítali, Iceland’s national hospital, “Parliament needs to source of great music, starting with
has often operated at a loss. Last year, change this” Ólafur is mindful of these concerns, its full-armed embrace of the rock
Words: they reported a 3.8 billion ISK deficit, telling reporters that they are trying revolution of the late 1950s. The
Andie Sophia and responded by making numerous That a hospital would need to make their best to ensure the same level of early days of Icelandic pop music
Fontaine cuts in management and reducing cuts in the midst of a global pandemic service despite the cuts. are sometimes a bit murky, though,
certain departments. was not greeted warmly by members of “We’re trying of course to cut and so we turned to sociomusicologist
Photo: However, the hospital is now facing Parliament. optimise where it will impact patients Dr. Arnar Eggert Thoroddsen to ask
a question that had been burning in
Art Bicnick an “optimisation requirement”— “It is dangerous to place strict spend- the least,” he told reporters. “We’re
our minds for years now: what was
essentially, spending cuts—totalling ing and optimisation requirements on trying to optimise hospital manage-
the first guitar solo in the history of
some 4.3 billion ISK, RÚV reports. health services in the middle of a global ment, in certain projects that don’t
Icelandic music? Turns out, it’s not as
Ólafur Darri Andrason, the head of pandemic,” Social Democrat chair Logi concern the daily service of patients.
straightforward as you might think:
Landspítali’s finance department, says Einarson said. Our main goal is to be able to give
There is an Icelandic wiki-page which
this will extend to 2022 and necessitate Social Democrat MP and chair of patients the same good and secure states that the first Icelandic guitar
even more cuts to staff and services in the parliamentary welfare committee service despite the need to optimise.” solo was performed by guitar virtuoso
order to close the gap. Helga Vala Helgadóttir characterised Óli Gaukur on the track ‘Vegir liggja til
the cuts as “pissing in one’s shoe”, and allra átta’, which Ellý Vilhjálms sang in
1963. And a great solo it is; drawn out
and tasteful, replicating the song’s
FOOD OF ICELAND melody.
What’s white, And if you are in a The meat is often Icelanders used to If only it was so simple. It’s hard
salty, thick and really raunchy kind served cold and use this recipe to to nail the exact date of the first ap-
only eaten at of mood, you can tough, reminding make their sauces pearance of a bona fide Icelandic
Christmas? You buy some smoked you of how it must thicker but some- guitar solo, but in rock terms, they
guessed right, it’s sausage to douse have been abso- how it ended up came flooding in—naturally—with
Uppstúfur—often in the white bliss of lutely miserable for as an unbreakable the advent of rock’n’roll. Icelanders
called Jafningur— jafningur, wash it the old Icelanders part of Icelandic were just a tad behind developments
or white sauce. all down with some in a turf house in Christmas tradi- in the U.S. For instance, Erla Þorstein-
You put it on hot good old fashioned the middle of a tion—forcing in- sdóttir’s polite rocking up of "When
potatoes and spray Malt Extract and December storm nocent children to The Saints Go Marching In," released
it all over Hangikjöt contemplate how with nothing more eat smoked lamb, in 1957, does feature a brief, sting-
and you have the your life ended up than dung smoked which they drown ing guitar solo, as was the wont with
most Icelandic dish so terribly sad. meat. in the white sauce rock’n’roll numbers of the time.
of them all. Jafningur is Uppstúfur is to avoid the bitter So, dear readers, this is as close
Jafningur is surprisingly sweet probably, like taste. It doesn’t as we get to dating the first Icelan-
more or less made and is more or less all nasty things, work. But you can’t
Uppstúfur
dic guitar solo and any challenges
out of flour, milk, the only reason Danish. The word help trying. VG to these oh-so-scientific results are
sugar, salt and a anyone would comes from the welcome at the usual address. Next
lot of butter. It’s eat hangikjöt, or Danish word up: The first use of cowbell in Icelandic
fairly easy to make. smoked lamb. "opstuvning." heavy metal.
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First 7 The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 09— 2020
GRAPEVINE
Týr was the God of War and Justice.
He made the baddest monsters quake
in their boots and great white sharks
PLAYLIST
wet themselves. (Or he would have, if
great white sharks were endemic to
this part of the world and if sharks
urinated, which they don’t. But you get
the picture.) Boys, NKOTB, or
the CRIMINALLY-
underrated
—✧—✧—✧—
O-Town, it’s got
the fundamentals
Týr is described variously as the son down: wistful,
of Odin and the son of Hymir. As with loving, designed-
modern politicians, Norse gods liked to to-make-teenage-
girls-swoon
sleep around a lot and it wasn’t always Salt Ómland - lyrics, smooth
totally clear whose kid was whose. Skýjaborgir harmonies and a
(Nor did anyone care, they were gods!) Ok, this is so cute. very ~emotional~
But whoever did father Týr certainly We’re smiling, ending. HJC
squealing and
passed down a lot of hardcore-muscle-
feeling our best
man-crazy-tough-guy genes, because folky feelings and
that was Týr to a T. The T in this case then—OH MY GOSH!
standing for testosterone. WHAT? Yes, you think
One time, the gods were having a this is gonna just
bit of trouble with this wolf called be a sweet summer
song and then
Fenrir, who used to break every chain some extremely
they tried to shackle him with. So, logi- unexpected chord Jelena Ciric - Lines
cally, they had some dwarves make a progressions come In the midst of this
special magic ribbon to bind him up out and you’re worldwide chaos,
for good—but Fenrir was like, “No! You getting those ASMR turn to singer-
chills. Seriously, songwriter Jelena
can only tie me up with this ribbon if intern Jess and Ciric to remember
one of you volunteers to put your hand I audibly gasped the sweetness of
in my mouth!” Because he was a smart during the key ordinary life. “I went
The kind of dude you'd name a boat after wolf who knew how to bargain. change at 1:55. HJC to a fortune teller
Unfortunately for Fenrir, Týr wasn’t on St. Clair, west of
Týr, The Tough Guy
Superpowers: Forest Hill. I know
scared of putting his hand into a wolf’s
Combat, courage, not even I was curious, had
blinking even if you remove his mouth—just like how he wasn’t in the a half-hour to kill,”
limbs. least bit scared to be mashed into a Jelena starts, ac-
You can call him Mr. Tuesday pulp, or to have his eyes gouged out and companied by up-
Weaknesses: his elbows broken. But anyway, wolves beat piano chords
Sorry, did you say “weaknesses”? and those light,
aren’t exactly known for their honour
delicate, childlike
DEITIES OF Words: Illustration: Modern Analogue: code, so Týr’s hand was bitten clean off. Magnús Jóhann - indie vocals we so
ICELAND Iona Rangeley- Unknown Arnold Schwarzenegger beating Not that Týr cared. He had two! Waiting need right now.
Wilson up aliens in Predator. Truly stunning. (Btw, the Grape-
Kind of like if Philip vine unanimously
Glass, Ludovico agreed that this
„Oft hefur
Einaudi and Atticus could easily be the
Ross got drunk motivational song
JUST SAYINGS and decided to do in a musical.) HJC
an experimental
improvised col-
laboration with
their conservatory
vinnulatur
friends, who were
under the impres-
sion they were
doing a minimalist
soundtrack album
for an indie slow- Countess Malaise -
viljuga tungu“
burn psychological That Bitch
thriller. What a “I'm too hard.
misunderstanding! I'm too bad. I'm
Thankfully it ended too sad… but
up with this beauti- I've always been
ful track. HJC that bitch.” So
starts the latest
effort from goth-
rapper-monarch
Countess Malaise.
What do you call the print version of a subtweet?
The Countess
is always full of
these bad-bitch-
Are you really frustrated by that guy who often has an energetic tongue!” confidence-fuck-
can’t stop talking at work but doesn’t This, of course, applies to all politi- you moments, but
boncyan - It’s On Me never has it felt so
actually do any work? The one who is cians, scholars in literature and philoso- boncyan identifies authentic as it does
just hanging there, beside the cooler, phy and self-absorbed journalists (not as a “throwback now—seriously,
talking to random coworkers? Well, we me, of course), and obviously, that idiot to the boy bands only she could
Icelanders have a saying about them: coworker you hate and just keep going of yesteryear.” make vulnerability
While this debut seem hard af. Dear
“Oft hefur vinnulatur viljuga tungu.” on about while not doing actual work
definitely has a TikTokers: make a
This translates to, “A lazy person VG jazzier feel than dance for this, pls.
the Backstreet HJC
8 The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 09— 2020
The collapse of Iceland’s economy in compelling enough to the court for
late 2008 incited a tremendous amount them to rule the elections invalid in
of anger in the nation’s people. While January 2011.
the Special Investigation Commis- Undeterred, Jóhanna simply had
sion formed in the aftermath sought these 25 individuals appointed to a
to determine who and what was to Constitutional Council, which was
blame for the collapse, the feeling then tasked with writing the constitu-
amongst many Icelanders was that the tional draft.
entire system needed to fundamentally
change—including the creation of a
new constitution.
“Crowd-
Iceland’s constitution is more or
less borrowed from the Danes, and has
sourcing” the
changed very little since 1874, when
the country was known as the King-
constitution
dom of Iceland. Following the collapse, At this point, the task of working out
the nation sought an update through the finer points of the constitutional
democratic processes great and small, draft was not solely in the hands of
resulting in a draft for a new consti- the Council. The people were also
tution. As it stands today, Iceland directly involved through a website
remains stuck with the constitution it where Icelanders were encouraged to
has had since 1944, when the country offer suggestions on specific articles,
first gained independence. clauses and amendments.
How was the constitutional draft It was this aspect that attracted the
created, what changes does it seek to greatest degree of international atten-
make and why is Iceland still waiting tion, often framed in headlines cele-
for its reboot? To understand a decade’s brating that “Iceland is crowdsourcing
worth of questions, we need to start at its constitution.” During a time when
the impetus—and speak to some of the many countries were still recovering
people who are still fighting for the from their own financial crises—and
new constitution, which even the most questioning the political systems that
recent polls show is something that enabled them—the Icelandic people
matters a lot to most Icelanders. re-writing their constitution was aspi-
rational.
The people’s In July 2011, a draft proposal was
submitted to Parliament. Specific arti-
council cles of this draft, and whether to write
a new constitution based on the draft,
Much like the "pots and pans" protests were put to a national referendum in
of 2008 and 2009, the creation of the 2012. 66.3% of voters in the referendum
constitutional draft was a grassroots said that they wanted a new constitu-
effort, albeit with a more formalised tion based on the draft that was drawn
process. It began with then-Prime up by the Constitutional Council the
Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir year previous. The people also voted
submitting a bill to Parliament in 2009 on specific changes, such as having
for the creation of a Constitutional natural resources that are not privately
Assembly, which would be tasked owned to be declared national prop-
with reviewing the existing constitu- erty; giving equal weight to votes cast
tion. This bill was made law, with the in all parts of the country; a provision
amendment that a National Forum stating that a certain proportion of the
would consult on what constitutional electorate is able to demand that issues
changes should actually be made. are put to a referendum; and more.
The National Forum drew about It looked like Iceland was on the
1,000 people to offer their ideas on what fast track to getting its long-awaited,
the new constitution should focus on. democratic, modern constitution. But
The topics that the everyday Icelanders that didn’t happen.
who participated in the Forum brought
up is a reflection of what many saw as
recurring problems in Icelandic soci-
Up on
ety: a need for greater transparency
in government and a more democratic
a shelf
elections; stronger protections for the Katrín Oddsdóttir, a human rights
environment and natural resources; lawyer and chair of the Constitutional
and clearer codification of human Society in Iceland, has been a part of
rights. the fight for the new constitution from
All great ideas, but formalising the very beginning.
them into a constitutional draft would "What we have been doing ever
involve a more focused effort—one since—for eight years now—is fighting
that was not without its problems. for this result of the national referen-
dum to be honoured,” she says. “It is a
Assemble the huge democratic paradox to be fight-
ing your own Parliament to honour a
assembly referendum that Parliament called for.
I don't think this happens very often
The idea behind the Constitutional in democratic societies, that the legis-
Assembly was noble. Those who had lature calls for a referendum but then
served in or run for public office ignores it based on the fact that this
were prohibited from running for the was a consolatory referendum and not
Katrín Oddsdóttir
Assembly; the idea here was to have a binding one."
25 people who were not professional Katrín believes there are systemic
Where Is The New
politicians, but who were elected by forces at work resisting the new consti-
the people, prepare the constitutional tution, both within Parliament and in
draft. Elections were held and the the business world.
results came in on November 30, 2010. "Systems reject change,” she says.
Constitution?
Two problems soon became appar- “There [are] articles in the new consti-
ent. First, turn-out for these elections tution which say, for example, that
was very low: only 37% of eligible voters natural resources belong to the nation
bothered casting ballots. Second, and and that the nation should get full price
A nation still waits
far more troubling, complaints were for the usage for its fisheries. Currently,
lodged with the Supreme Court within we have a system where maybe 100
days of the election that the election people … in Iceland make most of the
itself should be declared invalid. money for huge fisheries. According
for Iceland 2.0
These complaints took issue with to law, they are owned by the nation,
the procedures of the elections them- but for some weird reason, the nation
selves, including the lack of privacy only gets about 20% of the actual profit.
provided by voting booth partitions But it doesn't really matter, because in
and the use of ballot boxes that could Iceland, justice finds its way. It's taking
not be locked. These complaints were time, sure, but in the end it will go well
9 The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 09— 2020
for Iceland, I'm sure. We're just taking proposals in the new constitution."
as many steps as we can in this mara- Katrín speculates that one of the
thon of a run. reasons why the Prime Minister is
“There is a sort of pull within the taking this route comes from a desire
political parties for slow, or no, changes to please everyone in the government.
to the constitution. The system wants "This is just my personal theory, but
to maintain itself. That's what makes it I think what might have happened is
a system. I think that's the reason why that inside [the Left-Greens], there are
we ended up in this cul de sac at the very conservative people, and they hold
moment.” a lot of power inside the party,” she
Helga Baldvins Bjargardóttir, presi- says. “Basically what they've said to the
dent of the Women's Association for people, and to [the Prime Minister], is
the New Constitution, agrees, and that this will never be done unless it's
believes business interests are bolster- done with political harmony, where all
ing Parliament’s resistance. the parties come together and make a
"There are always some owners of solution. But this is completely incor-
capital who ensure that they have a rect.”
say in how policy is being made,” Helga “Firstly, we see now that this isn't
says. “I think that's the case with all the happening. Even the [Independence
old political parties. Currently, it's the Party] are not backing her up. Why
Left-Greens who are standing most in is she putting [her bill] forward as a
the way. They should have every means parliamentarian and not a government
to pass this, instead we get these terri- minister? Secondly, it is just wrong that
ble excuses for constitutional change. all constitutional changes in Iceland's
It was really disappointing to see that history have been done in some kind
this is as far as they think they can get of Disney moment where everybody
when working with the Independence agrees. We have had huge disputes, like
Party. It's quite sad." when we were changing the electoral
"There's also conservatism at work,” territories. Parliament was at war over
Katrín says. “There are people who feel the issue."
it's too much to change the constitu- Katrín does, however, believe that
tion in one step; that we should do the Prime Minister is doing what she
it slowly over many steps. There are can with what she has to work with,
many reasons for opposition to the albeit with reservations about the
new constitution. But I'd like to point methodology.
out that one of the reasons is the fact "I think [the Prime Minister] is
that the current system has built-in doing her best,” she says. “I think she
injustices within it and the new consti- thought that she would be able to
tution makes an effort to challenge lead the other parties into some kind
these injustices, but there are people of unity about certain constitutional
and companies who do not want to see changes that would continue after the
those changes." next election. Even though she has no
Another factor slowing progress, certainty over who is going to lead the
Helga believes, is the smallness of country after the election, so it makes
Iceland itself. absolutely no sense. We also have to
"Because we're such a small nation, remember that the new constitution
it's easy to rule by fear,” she says. was put together by 25 very different
“People know that if they are very people, and we all had very different
vocal about something, they might political opinions. It's a huge compro-
be ruining their chances of getting a mise—and the compromise already
promotion or the jobs that they want. lives inside that document. As soon as
Without a culture of protection and you start treating the new constitution
making people accountable, it's easy to as some kind of buffet, where you just
rule by fear." pick and choose articles and try shov-
She adds that rural Icelanders— ing them into the old constitution,
many of them voters for more conser- they have completely and utterly aban-
vative parties—are being misled by doned that big compromise."
these parties.
"People in the countryside are afraid
that changing things to one person Do the people
equals one vote would mean Parlia-
ment would only focus on Reykjavík,
still want a new
that they would be left out,” she says.
“But they forget that there is an article
constitution?
in the new constitution which says that Public support for the new constitu-
you cannot discriminate against some- tion has not waned. A recent petition—
one based on where they live. So the one that requires an official signature
constitution would actually transform from the National Registry—accrued
the way we think about how we provide over 43,000 signatures in support of a
services all around the country." new constitution based on the draft.
This equals somewhere between 15%
The Prime and 20% of all eligible voters, which
in a historic context is a very strong
Minister and showing of support. In fact, poll after
poll over the years has shown that
the people most Icelanders support the initia-
tive, including a poll from Maskína,
Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdót- conducted during the last week of
Helga Baldvinsdóttir
tir recently announced that she will October that showed 53.5% in support
submit a bill to Parliament—interest- of the new constitution, 21.3% opposed,
Words:
ingly, not as Prime Minister but as a
parliamentarian—which would make
some amendments to the current
and 25.2% ambivalent.
There have also been other demon-
strations of support, ranging from a
“It is a huge democratic Andie
Sophia
Fontaine
constitution. But Katrín Oddsdóttir
believes the changes are lacking.
"We personally feel that this isn't
recent social media campaign employ-
ing the hashtag #hvar (#where), to the
painting of a giant mural by the Minis-
paradox to be fighting
Photos:
good enough, because the referendum
asked if the draft of the new consti-
tution should be the basis and that's
try of Fisheries asking, in bold letters,
“Where is the new constitution?”
"That happened on a Saturday, and
your own Parliament to Art Bicnick
certainly not what's being done now,”
she says. “They're trying to amend
the old one, a constitution which was
on the Monday they came and cleaned
the wall,” Katrín points out. “Which is
very funny, because this wall had been
honour a referendum
always only supposed to be prelimi-
nary. The big quest of this nation to
own its own social contract is still
filled with graffiti for years and nobody
ever cleaned it. It was like a symbolic
gesture on behalf of the power-holders,
that Parliament called
being ignored. Secondly, the proposals
she's putting forward are in many ways
just watered-down versions of similar
sort of trying to silence this big, demo-
cratic question for Iceland."
Soon after that mural was erased,
for.”
10 The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 09— 2020
a new, even bigger mural was painted living instrument. But if Parliament is the money, resources and own most we need this new constitution. It's the
nearby. going to make any changes to the draft, of the media, and then just normal basis. It's how you move forward with
"And that one still stands, because this is the criteria that they should use: people. We have to realise that if we everything."
what the power-holders realised is that that those changes are for the benefit want to try to equalise the balance,
when they try to silence us, we become of everyone; not just the few.”
stronger,” she says. “As soon as they “I think it matters to democratic
washed this wall, it was all over the activists and theorists around the
media and thousands of people signed world, because we have so many exam-
the petition. You can say a lot of things ples of democracy failing around the
about Icelanders—we're very tolerant world, that we need an example of
of the corruption that goes down here, democracy succeeding,” Lawrence said
but we don't like to be silenced, that's in 2016. “And this would be an example
for sure.” of that because of two parts: one part
is basically a grassroots democratic
movement to crowdsource a consti-
What does the tution, which is then supported by
two-thirds of the voting public, and
new constitu- eventually enacted. That’s a kind of
reassertion of the vitality in the demo-
tion change? cratic process. But on the other side,
it would also be important to see the
elites and the government yield; to see
There’s a great deal that Helga likes them acknowledge and concede to the
about the changes the new constitu- authority of the democratic process.”
tion would offer, a great deal of them
having to do with creating a more just
and democratic society.
"One of the most important changes
So how do we
in the new constitution is that natural
resources should be the property of the
get there?
nation,” she says. “The biggest mistake
that we made in Iceland in terms of If there’s so much resistance to the
inequality is in how the fishing quota constitutional draft, how can we
system came about. There's just a few affect change? Katrín sees a number
families getting all the money from of options. There is, for example, the
the fisheries in Iceland, when it could fact that the Social Democrats, the
be used to build our education, welfare Pirate Party, and the two former Left-
and health care systems. Instead, this Green MPs—Andrés Ingi Jónsson and
money is hidden in some tax havens in Rósa Björk Brynjólfsdóttir—recently
Tortola.” submitted a bill to Parliament based
"Another important change,” Helga on the new constitution. While Katrín
continues, “is that if there's a piece of is not optimistic about its chances of
legislation that the people don't want, passing, she does believe it could pave
and they want to have a vote on it, then the way for more substantial changes.
the people can ask for a referendum "At least this is one way of keeping
and they can vote on it. We've been the new constitution alive and keeping
seeing around the world that there are it where it belongs: inside Parliament,
politicians trying to decrease the rights to be discussed there and hopefully
of women and the queer community. If one day voted on there,” she says. “One
a politician wanted to try that here, the of the horror stories about this case
nation could intervene and stop it from is that just before the 2013 elections,
[becoming] law." when the [Social Democrat and Left-
Dr. Lawrence Lessig, an academic, Green] majority wanted to put this
attorney and political activist, has forward to be voted on in Parliament,
been keenly interested in the Icelandic parties such as the Independence Party
constitutional process for many years. used filibustering to prevent the vote
In an interview with the Grapevine in from happening."
2016, he offered that the new constitu- "I think we need to vote for parties
tion could have wider implications for that are actively pushing for the new
the rest of the world. constitution and push the old parties
“I think that the process for draft- to tell us exactly where they stand, so
ing this constitution is the most demo- that the voters can have a clear idea
cratic process we’ve seen in the history before going to the polls,” Helga says.
of constitutions anywhere,” he said. “This is what we want to press."
“We’ve never seen something like this. Katrín is of much the same mind,
This process involved an incredibly with her sights set on 2021, when the
intelligent mix between grassroots, next parliamentary elections will be
citizen-driven input, expert-crafting held.
direction and an actual deliberative "We really want this to be one of
process for drafting the constitu- the major issues of the elections,” she
tion that wasn’t controlled by insid- says. “This is the big picture. Elections
ers. The process was representative tend to revolve around smaller things.
of the values that the constitution We are at the point in time where we
should embrace; it mixes the different need to start thinking about what sort
elements that a democratic constitu- of society we're going to be. Are we this
tion should include: it has expertise, 'New Iceland' that we were promised
but it also has democratic pedigree. after the economic crash? Will it ever
There isn’t another constitution that actually see the light of day? We have
has passed through this mix of demo- really big things to work on as a society
cratic accountability in the history of and if we don't work from our founda-
constitutions. That’s objectively a very tions in deciding how we're going to
important fact about the nature of the proceed as a nation, then it's very hard
constitution.” to see how we're going to be able do this
Helga agrees, citing the process by in any kind of beautiful way."
which the new constitutional draft was "I think it's very important now
written. because we're going into a recession,”
"We elected 'normal people'; not Helga says. “We really need people to
solely politicians [to work on this realise that having this new constitu-
constitution],” she says. “It's written by tion benefits the people. It's a game
the people and for the people. It's right changer in terms of how we deal with
there in the preface. You can see what unemployment, bankruptcy and what's
values it's based upon; it has this long- ahead of us."
term thinking, which is not what we're Ultimately, Helga believes the
used to. It's a text that's written with very future of Iceland—especially in
the heart and soul in it. It's supposed these trying times—hinges upon the
to be our social covenant that we can creation of a new constitution.
base everything else upon. Of course, "It's like we have two nations here,”
it's not perfect. It's supposed to be a she says. “There's the few, who have all
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CULTURE
NEWS
LET THERE BE VIRTUAL LIGHT!
NÝLÓ Light Bazaar 2020
Until December 30th - Online & Living
Art Museum
As is the trend in 2020, the Living Art
Museum’s annual Light Bazaar is
moving online. Brighten the dark
winter nights with some beautiful
art. View and buy the works of over
40 contemporary artists on
ljosabasar.nylo.is and help raise
funds to support the Living Art
Museum. The Marshall House will
also be hosting an open storage
and pop up home for the Bazaar
during opening hours (Wed - Sun
from 12:00-18:00). JD
Info
XMas Consumers Yahoo! The next Couch
Cabaret (18+) will Were we not a magazine, we'd dress like Carmen Dea Untamed
Bedroom
Heiðmörk Christmas Market be on December
18th at 21:00.
her November routine with a COVID-
Tickets are 1,200
Weekends until Christmas – 12:00- safe production team at local pole stu-
ISK. Get more
17:00 – Heiðmörk – Free! dio Eríal Pole—which you can see in
information on
Burlesque
the Túttífrútturnar the pictures. “It [was] a little bit differ-
Nearly every Icelandic venue/store Facebook page. ent than my usual acts. I’m going out
has its own version of a holiday of my comfort zone,” she smiles. “It’s
market, but the one in the old the essence of Carmen.”
hunting lodge at Elliðavatn is a
Get stunned on your sofa by the
not-to-miss experience. On a frozen
lake in a gorgeous forest, sit the
Give ‘em the ol’ razzle-
dazzle!
Couch Cabaret
kids into a beautiful grove for some
Christmas stories—most in But how should one best view the caba-
Icelandic. Afterwards, cut down ret? Carmen recommends giving your
your own Christmas tree, enjoy house a bit of the ol’ razzle-dazzle.
some hot chocolate and just be Words: “So it was just her in a beautiful red Carmen emphasises that the show “I didn’t expect this but it gave me
merry. Oh, and don’t forget to buy a Hannah Jane dress with red curtains behind her. is not only strip-tease. “It’s a variety a bit of warmth in my heart when our
ton of handmade stuff. What more Cohen She had a bathtub and her only mis- show—a cabaret. Some acts will be lovely audience used it as an opportu-
is Christmas than capitalism sion was to get into the bathtub and burlesque, others circus, drag, pole nity to dress up at home,” Carmen re-
wrapped in a bow? HJC Photo: it was just so graceful and beautiful,” dancing, acrobatics,” she trails off. “We calls of the Couch Cabaret’s last online
Art Bicnick Carmen gushes. “That just really sits in could have jugglers if they apply! Or audience. “They put on makeup, hair,
my memory. I just love it.” magicians, comedians, singers—it’s a beautiful dresses and were just in full
While you might think this is a de- true cabaret.” Cabaret style at their house in a chair
scription of some sort of romantic with a wine glass,” she explains. “So, of
painting or art film, it’s actually the
The essence of Carmen course you can watch the show anyway
most recent burlesque performance you want. You can be in your pyjamas
by Reykjavík sensation Maria Callista, While many are lamenting the loss in your bed with a laptop, but if you
which premiered at burlesque troupe of in-person entertainment, Carmen want to make the most of your ticket,
Túttífrútturnar’s last Couch Cabaret encourages people to think positively. dress up and make a night of it.”
online show. The Couch Cabaret is the There are, according to the dancer, She smiles. “Then you can bring the
troupe’s COVID-friendly solution to some unusual benefits to performing cabaret home.”
keeping entertainment alive during only online.
We, Tonya the pandemic. The virtual extravagan- “I see a lot of opportunities for us
za is streamed online and features the here in tiny Iceland to expand. The pos-
Ice Skating at Ingólfstorg best and brightest of local performers itive thing about COVID—of course,
and some stars from abroad; the next it’s not positive and I’m very sad about
November 28th-January 2nd – occurring on December 18th. COVID—but I’ve gotten to know a lot
Ingólfstorg – 12:00-21:00 – 1,290 ISK of artists around the world, artists that
The next Winter Olympics might not
A true cabaret I don’t think I would have met [were it
not for the pandemic],” she explains.
be until 2022 but that doesn’t mean Carmen—whose full artist name is “Virtually, we can expand our connec-
you can’t start practising now. Get Carmen Dea Untamed—also partici- tions and work together without hav-
on the path to win Iceland’s first pated in the virtual showcase, both as ing to meet in person, without them
figure skating medal with a spin a performer and organiser. The pole having to come here and perform.”
around Reykjavík’s beloved annual dancer/burlesque extraordinaire is “We’ve even gotten a few applica-
Ingólfstorg skating rink. Bring your known for her high-energy and sen- tions [for the Couch Cabaret] from art-
kids, lover, or adrenaline-junkie sual acts, which—luckily for socially ists who are not [in] Iceland. And that’s
Grandma (in a mask) and take over distanced audiences—translate well to like—ok, this is an opportunity!”
the city’s central square on some the small screen. Carmen is mum on what we can
razor-sharp shoes. Grab a Hlölli “The Couch Cabaret is a virtual expect from her future acts, but if her
afterwards for a true Reykjavík show. We have pre-recorded acts that performance at the last show is any-
afternoon. HJC performers make,” Carmen explains. thing indication it’s safe to say we can
Now that's showbiz
While it’s run by a burlesque group, expect the unexpected. Carmen filmedCulture The Reykjavík Grapevine 12
Issue 09— 2020
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The dreamer
Some Kind of
Peace In A World
Full Of Chaos
Ólafur Arnalds on his most intimate album
to date, and the importance of community
and ritual in a world gone mad
Words: Jess Distill Photos: Art Bicnick
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Issue 09— 2020
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just that I tend to create these big “How do you place a voice in rection this album was taking.
ideas or concepts to put in front voiceless music? How do you tell a That song is really about the im-
of me and it’s easy to hide be- story in instrumental music?” he portance of rituals—and music,
hind them. I like to swing right asks. “I just have to add storytell- in essence, is a ritual. It’s a com-
in the other direction sometimes. ing elements to it. It can be voices munal ritual that we take to reach
I wanted to go back to before this or the way something sounds. a higher state of consciousness. I
was my job, before there was any That’s how I add my own voice, so have gotten very interested in all
pressure, and remember why I to speak, without actually singing, sorts of rituals from all over the
was making music.” and tell my personal story through world in the past few years—tak-
the album.” ing part in them and researching
Telling his own story them—and what we always find in
A higher state of common everywhere is the impor-
Working mostly with friends, the tance of music in those rituals.”
relationship between Ólafur and
consciousness Ólafur holds his cards close to
his collaborators was as intimate One of the more fascinating sam- his chest. He wants to discuss the
as the music they created. “We ples on the album appears in the track further, to talk more about
had the opportunity to take a lot second track, the hypnotising these rituals and communities he
of time and really have a dialogue “Woven Song”. Using the voice of finds so fascinating. But he stops
about the music and what feelings an Amazonian medicine woman himself, careful not to give too
we were trying to evoke. We would singing a traditional song of the much away, guarding secrets of
play it a few times and then listen Shipibo Tribe, the experiences past
back to it and ask ‘How do we feel idea of ritual and and projects yet
right now when we hear this?’” the importance “I wanted to go to come. He may
Ólafur recalls. “We went into that of storytelling back to before have opened up to
aspect of it in a lot of detail, just and community his listeners more
listening and talking. Because it is highlighted this was my job, than ever before,
was so personal to me, I put even
more effort into the tiniest details
here. He hesitates
before speak-
before there was but he’s not quite
ready to reveal ev-
of performance.” ing, choosing his any pressure, erything.
With every listen of ‘Some Kind
of Peace’ something new strikes
words carefully,
but when Ólafur and remember
you: a string part you didn’t notice talks about the why I was making
before, or a sound effect barely track, with excite-
audible in the background, more ment and verve, music.”
a feeling than a sound. As though it’s clear that we
Ólafur is revealing himself little
bit by little bit, the listener learns
have reached the soul of his music.
“I can go into some depth
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of people and music that inspire tion of that piano with that voice, copy in the Grapevine Shop.
him litter the album. was the moment I knew the di-You can also read
