News and press releases

Jan

Northern Lights with brightest level since 50 years

This winter 2011-12 saw incredible Northern Lights shows visible across the whole of Iceland, including the capital, Reykjavik, despite the occasional cloud cover. NASA predicts that the Aurora is set to build in frequency over the forth-coming months, with the brightest levels seen for 50 years.

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Oct

First Day of Winter and Traditional Meat Soup Feast

The Icelandic Meat Soup Day, an annual festival held on the official First Day of Winter according to the old Icelandic calendar, this year on October 22, was held on Skólavördustígur in downtown Reykjavík last weekend. The traditional Icelandic kjötsúpa, lamb and vegetable soup, was served for free to passers-by where different chefs presented their twist on the hearty meal. This year, approximately 800 liters of prime meat soup were on offer.

Among participating chefs are Úlfar Eysteinsson at Thrír frakkar, Gústav Alex Gunnlaugsson at Sjávargrillid and Eiríkur Ingi Fridgeirsson at Hotel Holt. At a press conference at Hotel Holt, Eysteinsson said taking his time and affectionate cooking is his secret to making a good soup, while Gunnlaugsson revealed that a tiny portion of chili and plenty of herbs is his trick.

Fridgeirsson, on the other hand, stated that boiling the soup slowly and for a long time is what delivers the best results. The soup is best on the second day or even the third, he added.

Read now how traditional Icelandic kjötsúpa,

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Oct

Reykjavik UNESCO City of Literature attends Frankfurt Book Fair

Reykjavik UNESCO City of Literature is taking an active part in the 2011 Frankfurt Book Fair, which takes place between 12-16 October, as Iceland is this year’s Guest of Honour. The opening ceremony took place On Thursday 13 October, Reykjavik will be in the spotlight at the Iceland Exhibition Grounds, with a programme dedicated to Reykjavik

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