The surroundings appear tropical and the gleaming sun makes the illusion complete. I snap out of it as I remember that I’m sitting on the back of a horse.
more
Yesterday, the man accused of having killed Haukur Sigurdsson in Reykjanesbaer this spring refused to answer whether he was guilty of manslaughter. He did however admit to have inflicted injury on Sigurdsson, which led to his death.
more
Click on the picture to watch an audio slideshow of a hike to Hraunsvatn lake in Öxnadalur valley in north Iceland, which lies at a height of 490 meters, interlocked between two steep mountains and a small glacier with a view of the majestic Hraundrangar peaks.
more
Fjallabyggd (“Mountain Settlement”) is a skier’s dream. Its slopes are perfect for slaloming and there are also tracks for telemark skiing. Winter sporting enthusiasts can also go ice skating or rent snowmobiles. In summer, Fjallabyggd turns into a paradise for hikers. Read this special promotion about one of Iceland’s best hidden gems.
more
A travel ban has been placed on Jón Thorsteinn Jónsson, the former chairman of the board of Byr savings bank, because of an investigation by the special prosecutor on the affairs of Byr and the holding company Exeter.
Jónsson recently moved his legal residence to London. He is the only individual on whom a travel ban has been placed because of an investigation undertaken by the special prosecutor, Fréttabladid reports.
According to the newspaper’s sources, the special prosecutor believes there is a sound reason for securing Jónsson’s stay in Iceland after of a raid of the premises of Byr and MP Bank in late November, especially considering the move of his legal residence.
Jónsson was arrested on the day of the raid and questioned longer than other suspects. He was released after 24 hours. The travel ban expires at the beginning of next week and it has not been decided whether an extension will be requested.
The investigation focuses on Exeter’s acquisition in Byr’s capital stock worth approximately 1 billion (USD 7.8 million, EUR 5.4 million) in October and December of last year. The capital stock was bought from Jónsson and MP Bank, among others.
Byr provided the mother company of Exeter a loan to purchase the capital stock. There is a suspicion of fraud and embezzlement, which could result in up to six years in prison.
Click here to read more about this story.
The second issue of the print edition of Iceland Review 2010 has just been published. Entitled “Under the Volcano” the magazine dedicates 20 pages, words and pictures, to the volcanic eruption in Eyjafjallajökull glacier which made headlines all over the word. New subscribers will receive the book Puffins as a gift and all subscribers are part of a draw to win a trip to Iceland. Click here to subscribe to the magazine.
more
Future of Hope is an aptly named documentary directed by Henry Bateman about what some people are doing to shape the future of Iceland, hoping that above all, the crisis will ultimately strengthen the country.
more
There can’t be many novels that are heralded as being “a purification for body and soul” recommended to “those who enjoy experimental cookery” (review of November Rain in DV newspaper) and “as beautiful as a painting from the golden age” (review of The Offspring by Danish newspaper Politiken). However, Reykjavík based writer, Audur Ava Ólafsdóttir, has attracted such attention not to mention literary prizes.
more
Have a laugh this week by visiting Hafnarborg, the Hafnarfjördur Centre of Culture and Fine Art, where the exhibition “Humor in Icelandic Art” is currently running. The exhibition consists of works by contemporary Icelandic artists from different generations which deal with humor and irony.
more