Articles by Iryna Zubenko
How To Follow The Midnight Sun – A Local’s Guide To The Icelandic Summer
It’s 1:30am in early July and the setting sun is painting pink streaks across a dark-blue sky. It’ll rise again in an hour or so, but I’m trudging towards my tent. Arctic terns circle overhead and the air is chilly but the campsite buzzes with life: late arrivals pitch tents and wool-clad teenagers stuff their hot dogs with crunchy onions. Across the fjord, lupins have turned the landscape purple.
DesignMarch 2026: Design, Everywhere, All At Once
From hemp houses to sustainable fashion, DesignMarch 2026 connects disciplines, materials, and people Despite it being May on the calendar, DesignMarch is back, once again ignoring its own name and sprawling across Reykjavík and even beyond May 6 to 10. Now in its 18th edition, the festival has grown to be one of the biggest in Iceland — or, in fact, the biggest, as Festival Director Helga Ólafsdóttir clarifies. “More people come to DesignMarch than Iceland Airwaves,” she says.
Woman Charged With Manslaughter Of Daughter In The Edition Murders
New information has been made public regarding the murders at The Edition hotel in Reykjavík in June 2025. Yesterday, the woman arrested at the scene was charged with the manslaughter of her daughter, allegedly acting together with her husband, reports RÚV. The woman’s name has now been made public for the first time. Ming Ting Mancel has been charged with the murder of her 29-year-old daughter, Catherine Mancel, but not her husband, Emeric Mancel, who was found dead in the same hotel room.
Grindavík And Hveragerði Among Areas At Highest Volcanic Risk
Grindavík and Hveragerði, two towns in southwest Iceland, are located in areas classified at the highest hazard level in a new risk assessment by the Icelandic Met Office, reports Vísir. The data comes from reports published by the Met Office last week regarding volcanic danger on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Part of Hafnarfjörður lies very close to areas where there is a very high risk of lava flow. The likelihood of eruptions or lava flow is otherwise considered low across most of the capital region.
Over 100 Icelandic Musicians Call For Eurovision Boycott
The No Music for Genocide campaign has published an open letter calling for a boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest over the decision to allow Israel to participate. 123 Icelandic musicians have signed the letter. The letter was prepared in collaboration with the Palestinian organisation Palestinian Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel and has been signed by a large number of well-known artists. In December 2025, we reported that Sigur Rós had joined the boycott.
Mandarin Duck Spotted In Hafnarfjörður
A mandarin duck was spotted at the Hamarkotslækur pond in Hafnarfjörður yesterday, according to Vísir. “This is such a beautiful bird that it’s always a pleasure to see it again and again,” birdwatcher Sveinn Jónsson, who photographed the duck, told Vísir. “I heard about it in the morning. I stopped for about 20 minutes and that was enough. There weren’t many people there at first, but the crowd kept growing,” he added. The bird’s colourful plumage certainly draws attention.
Ten Million ISK To Be Allocated For Strengthening Music Venues
Reykjavík City Council has approved a proposal to revive the Music Venue Improvement Fund, with 10 million ISK to be distributed this year, RÚV reports. The aim is to strengthen live music venues downtown. A task force on live music in Reykjavík presented its recommendations at the end of February. It was set up to look at the state of live music in the city and suggest ways to improve conditions for musicians, venues, audiences and visitors.
2026 Edda Awards Nominations Announced
The nominations for the Edda Awards 2026 were publicly announced on April 10. The Edda Awards are Icelandic film and television awards that have been presented annually by the Icelandic Film and Television Academy since 1999. Hlynur Pálmason’s Ástin sem eftir er (The Love That Remains) received 13 nominations, Ugla Hauksdóttir’s Eldarnir (The Fires) received 11, and Tinna Hrafnsdóttir and Björn Hlynur Haraldsson’s TV series Vigdís received 9.
Six Police Cars Chase Driver Through Hvalfjörður Tunnel
Six police cars and four police motorcycles were involved in a pursuit on the afternoon of April 13, which ended when a police vehicle rammed the car’s left side. The driver is currently in police custody, reports mbl.is. The vehicle was initially reported to police by pedestrians in Borgarnes due to erratic driving.
Hlynur Pálmason’s World In One Frame: The Icelandic Auteur On Authenticity, Slow Filmmaking, And His Funny, Atmospheric Joan of Arc
“It’s a very playful film that nobody wanted,” says director Hlynur Pálmason, speaking to a live audience at Bíó Paradís after the premiere of Joan of Arc (Jóhanna af Örk in Icelandic), the closing film of the Stockfish Film & Industry Festival. Based in East Iceland, Hlynur rarely visits the capital, and even more rarely with his family, who also happen to be the cast.
In Between Cultures, Under Construction: Hugo Llanes Brings Scaffolding, Punk, And Glowing Lýsi To Hafnarhús
In a country where every fifth person has arrived from somewhere else, the topic of immigration and adaptation is embedded in the collective psyche. Iceland-based Mexican artist Hugo Llanes addresses this through humour and punk, blending cultural references from both his home country and his adopted one to create something entirely new.
Puffins Return To Iceland
Puffins have returned to Iceland, reports RÚV, with sightings recorded on April 10 off Grímsey and in Borgarfjörður Eystri. One of Iceland’s traditional harbingers of spring, the birds were spotted by sisters Halla and Unnur Ingólfsdóttir in the cliffs south of the lighthouse in Grímsey. Around the same time, Björn Aðalsteinsson saw one at Hafnarhólmi islet in Borgarfjörður Eystri, in the Eastfjords.
In A State Of Flux: Tumi Magnússon’s Exhibition Is A Meditation On Movement And Change
One sunny Sunday in February, having exhausted the number of times I could do a day trip to Hveragerði, I decided to head southwest to Keflavík. This time, though, I wasn’t going to the airport. Keflavík is an unusually long town of residential buildings that lives in the shadow of the runway. Let’s be honest: how often do you actually visit of your own will? Most reluctant visitors pass through only when a flight is delayed or cancelled, grabbing snacks, killing time, weighing options.
Foreign Tenants Pay More For Smaller Apartments
Foreign tenants pay 14 percent higher rent than local tenants, despite typically choosing smaller apartments, according to a new report by the Housing and Construction Authority (HMS). A new report finds that foreign tenants tend to rent smaller apartments than locals, yet do not necessarily pay less. In many cases, they pay more. The report also highlights that lower-income groups are now less likely to own housing than before.
Two Pedestrians Seriously Injured In Varmahlíð Traffic Accident
On Sunday, March 29, police in Northwest Iceland requested assistance from the Icelandic Coast Guard following a serious traffic accident in Varmahlíð, reports RÚV. Two pedestrians, a child and an adult, were hit by a vehicle near the Olís service station. Both were airlifted to Landspítali hospital in Reykjavík. A Coast Guard helicopter was dispatched at the request of police.
Icelandair Rebooks 3,600 Passengers
Due to the orange weather alert that was in place across most of the country yesterday, a number of flights were disrupted. RÚV reports that eleven Icelandair departures from Keflavík International Airport were cancelled yesterday morning, and ten flights were delayed until later in the day. The airline had to rebook a total of 3,600 passengers. “We managed to get some of them on flights yesterday, but most will be flying today or tomorrow,” Guðni Sigurðsson, spokesperson for Icelandair, told RÚV.
Budget Cuts Leave Landspítali Staff Without Easter Eggs
Earlier this week, mbl.is reported that Landspítali employees would not receive Easter eggs from the hospital this year. Landspítali, Iceland’s largest employer, with over 6,000 staff, traditionally gave chocolate Easter eggs to employees in the lead-up to the holiday, usually size 4. According to information from Landspítali, this was one of the measures taken to meet the government’s 3-4 billion ISK budget cut requirement for the hospital.
Authorities Urge People To Stay Home Due To The Weather
The Icelandic Met Office predictions seem to be coming true, with severe weather sweeping across much of the country. Orange alerts have been issued for blizzard conditions in the capital region, South Iceland, Southeast Iceland, Faxaflói Bay and the Westfjords, while yellow alerts remain in place elsewhere.
Calls Grow To Ban Fur Farming in Iceland
Following RÚV’s reporting on fur farming in Iceland last week, which included photos by Finnish photographer and animal rights activist Kristo Muurima documenting conditions on Icelandic fur farms, there has been renewed discussion about banning fur farming in the country.
Three Injured In Commercial Building Explosion In Reykjavík
Three people were taken to the emergency department following an explosion at the premises of the Kornax commercial building in Reykjavík this morning, reports RÚV. One person is seriously injured, another has sustained significant injuries, and a third suffered minor injuries. The explosion, which occurred shortly after 07:00, was powerful enough to tear part of one side of the building.
Yellow Weather Warning With Cancelled Flights And Road Closures
Yellow weather warnings for strong southwesterly winds and heavy snow showers have been issued across most of the country and remain in effect until tonight, except in the southeast, where they are in place until tomorrow, reports RÚV. Travel disruption is widespread. Some roads are already impassable or closed, while all flights from Reykjavík Domestic Airport have been cancelled until the afternoon.
Over 120 Avalanches Recorded Since Thursday
The Icelandic Met Office continues to receive reports of avalanches that have occurred over the past few days, with the total now exceeding 100. According to the Met Office, more than 122 avalanches have been reported in the Westfjords and the Tröllaskagi Peninsula since last Thursday. There has been a state of uncertainty due to avalanche risk in the Tröllaskagi and Westfjords regions for almost a week. On Thursday, heavy snowfall accompanied by northeasterly winds triggered avalanches.
Bus Burns To The Ground In Hafnarfjörður
A fire broke out yesterday, March 16, in an unattended bus that was being transported on Breiðhella in Hafnarfjörður, reports RÚV. Firefighters were called to the scene after a fire started in a bus in the Helluhverfi neighbourhood of Hafnarfjörður. According to the Capital Area Fire Department, the bus was empty and was being transported between locations at the time. The driver managed to detach the trailer, thereby saving the truck. However, the bus and the trailer were completely destroyed.
Icelandic Art Prize 2026 Winners Announced
The Icelandic Art Prize celebrated its ninth edition at Austurbæjarbíó yesterday, March 11, recognising outstanding contributions to the Icelandic art scene. Finnbogi Pétursson was named Artist of the Year for his exhibition Quake at the LÁ Art Museum in Hveragerði. The award was presented by Logi Einarsson, Minister of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education. The prize includes 1.5 million ISK. Other nominees in the category were Claudia Hausfeld, Kristín Gunnlaugsdóttir and Sigurður Ámundason.
Spring Is Here: Lóa Spotted In Iceland
The first lóa, or golden plover in English, has arrived in Iceland after spending the winter in warmer climates. Ólöf Helga Haraldsdóttir spotted the bird walking along the shore at Eyrarbakki yesterday, reports RÚV. Ólöf Helga Haraldsdóttir was out for a walk on the beach at Eyrarbakki when she noticed a golden plover strolling along the grassy embankment. Compared to the past two years, the lóa has arrived earlier this year. In 2024, the first sighting was recorded on March 22.
Police Have Used Tasers Eleven Times
According to a quarterly report from the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police, police officers in Iceland used tasers 11 times during the first 16 months after being authorised to use the devices. In addition, police drew tasers from their holsters or threatened suspects with them on 100 occasions. The report shows that officers most frequently drew their tasers during the first quarter of last year, the second full quarter after their use was authorised.
Summer Employee Stole Seven Million ISK From The University Of Iceland Lottery
An Icelandic woman has confessed to stealing more than seven million ISK from the University of Iceland Lottery (Happdrætti Háskóla Íslands) while working there as a summer employee in 2023, reports Vísir. She has been sentenced to a 30-day suspended prison sentence and must repay the full amount, along with covering the legal costs of the case. According to the district court ruling, the woman misappropriated money from the University of Iceland Lottery in two different ways.
Thousands Of Puffins Wash Ashore Dead
In recent weeks, thousands of dead puffins have washed ashore along the coasts of Europe, reports RÚV. Since January, tens of thousands of bird carcasses have washed ashore in Portugal, France, Spain, and the UK, the majority of them puffins. BBC and other outlets have reported on this. “This isn’t extremely unusual; it happens from time to time.
The Cod That Became A Unicorn: How Kerecis Turned Leftover Fish Skin Into A Billion-Dollar Idea
If you’ve flown through Keflavík Airport lately, you might have noticed that it’s always changing — shops are constantly being shuffled around and construction never seems to end.
Stockfish Has Plans For You: Irish Focus, Daring Documentaries, And Seven-Hour Béla Tarr Screening
The 2026 Stockfish Film & Industry festival is just around the corner, running from March 19 to 29. Reykjavík isn’t exactly a global film festival capital — but for over a decade, Stockfish has been steadily building a platform for filmmakers and cinephiles alike. This year, the festival is bringing 27 international titles to town, geographically spanning from Colombia to China. We spoke with Managing Director Dögg Mósesdóttir to find out what’s on, and what’s worth your time.
Iceland (The Store) Drops Trademark Dispute Against Iceland (The Country)
Iceland (the country) has won a decade-long trademark dispute over Iceland (the store) over the supermarket’s exclusive rights to the “Iceland” name. The trademark disagreement culminated this week when Richard Walker, the executive chair Iceland (the store), said he would not appeal a European Union court decision that ruled in favour of Iceland (the country) and cancelled the chain’s trademark for “Iceland,” reports The New York Times.
Days And Nights At The Museum: Finnur Arnar Concludes His Fully Immersive Stay At Ásmundarsafn
For nearly two months, the Icelandic multidisciplinary artist Finnur Arnar Arnarson has been living and working inside Ásmundarsafn — the former home and studio of pioneering sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson, now one of three locations of the Reykjavík Art Museum. He sleeps there, eats there, and works there. He goes to the swimming pool before seven every morning, comes back, has breakfast, and starts working at 8:30. He works until eight in the evening, then cooks, watches Netflix, and goes to sleep.
Grief, AI, And One (Very Funny) Dead Dad: Alfrun Rose Brings Modern Tragicomedy To Tjarnarbíó
When the legendary Gis Von Ice, band manager for Vök, Hatari and Lay Low, among others passed away in 2023, he began visiting his family members in their dreams. Everyone, it seems, except his daughter, Alfrun Rose. To which Alfrun had one response, “Bastard.” Resurrecting dad “I was really angry,” says Alfrun, who’s based in the U.K., speaking to me over a video call. “I’m quite a pragmatic person. Also, my dad didn’t believe in God.
Road Closures And Icy Conditions Across Iceland
The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration reports that visibility will be poor on Hellisheiði and in Þrengslin due to a southeastern snowstorm, particularly between 11:00 and 14:00, after which rain is expected in those areas. In the southwest, icy conditions are expected on Þrengslin, Hvalfjörður, Krýsuvíkurvegur, Vatnsleysustrandarvegur, and other routes. Snow cover remains in Kjós, and icy patches are common on other roads.
VIDEO: Björk Joins Rosalía At The BRIT Awards
On Saturday, February 28, Björk made a rare live appearance, joining Rosalía on stage at the 2026 BRIT Awards. Wearing a futuristic blue dress, and, for the first time in a long while, appearing without her iconic mask, Björk delivered a dazzling performance alongside Rosalía. The pair performed their collaborative track “Berghain” from Rosalía’s album LUX, released last year.
Iceland Won't Join The EU On Just Any Terms, PM Says
Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir says that comments by Poland’s Prime Minister and former President of the European Council Donald Tusk — that Iceland belongs in the European Union and that Poland is ready to help make that happen — demonstrate the interest that exists in Iceland within the EU, reports RÚV. She adds that accession negotiations have not begun and that neither she nor the nation is prepared to join the EU on just any terms.
Foreign Labour Is Underutilised In Iceland
Workers’ organisation BHM states that foreign labour is underutilised in Iceland, with the majority working in jobs that are not aligned with their education, reports RÚV. Over the past 20 years, the labour market has grown by 37 percent, and of that growth, immigrants have accounted for 73 percent. Figures from the OECD show that 40 percent of university-educated immigrants in Iceland work in jobs where their education is not properly utilised.
Fire Near Elliðavatn Contained After Four-Hour Battle
A brush fire broke out near Elliðavatn on Sunday and spread rapidly, reaching Guðmundarlundur and the Þingahverfi neighbourhood in Kópavogur, reports RÚV. Fire crews fought the fire for around four hours, assisted by police and search and rescue teams. The Capital Area Fire Brigade brought the fire under control by 20:00 after it ignited near Elliðavatn in the afternoon. Initially, the incident was believed to be minor and a single unit was sent to assess the scene.
Bus Carrying 27 Passengers Skids Off Road Near Vík
A bus carrying 27 passengers left the road and slid into a ditch at Reynisfjall shortly before noon yesterday, reports RÚV. Search and rescue teams were called to the scene and assisted passengers from the vehicle before taking them to shelter at Ice Wear in Vík. No injuries were reported. Orri Örvarsson, chairman of the Víkverji search and rescue team, said the bus had driven a considerable distance off the road. “It went a considerable distance off the road and down into a ditch.
Reykjavík Preschool Plan Approved By The City Council
The Reykjavík Preschool Plan was approved by the City Council yesterday, reports RÚV. The changes include substantial adjustments to the preschool fee structure. One of the major changes is that preschool attendance in Reykjavík will be free for up to 36 hours per week. After that, a progressively increasing fee will be added for longer stays, up to 42.5 hours per week.
Tourists Walk 10 Kilometres To Call For Help
Rescue teams assisted four foreign travellers whose vehicle became stuck in heavy snow in Mælifellsdalur yesterday evening, reports RÚV. It appears the group had been planning to cross Kjölur on their way south when their vehicle became stuck in deep snow in the valley. There is no mobile phone reception in the inner part of Mælifellsdalur in Skagafjörður, meaning part of the group had to walk five kilometres through snow and temperatures as low as -18°C to reach a signal.
Best Of Reykjavík 2026: Best Newcomer
For a city the size of Reykjavík, there’s definitely a lot going on (per capita, of course), and luckily for you, you’re holding (or scrolling through) an exhaustive list of hotspots worth your attention. Our cultural experts keep tabs on the town’s happenings, but not in a pretentious, professional way — they live here, so they are nothing but upfront about what’s a hit or a miss.
Best Of Reykjavík 2026: Best Event Space
For a city the size of Reykjavík, there’s definitely a lot going on (per capita, of course), and luckily for you, you’re holding (or scrolling through) an exhaustive list of hotspots worth your attention. Our cultural experts keep tabs on the town’s happenings, but not in a pretentious, professional way — they live here, so they are nothing but upfront about what’s a hit or a miss.
Best Of Reykjavík 2026: Best Cinema
For a city the size of Reykjavík, there’s definitely a lot going on (per capita, of course), and luckily for you, you’re holding (or scrolling through) an exhaustive list of hotspots worth your attention. Our cultural experts keep tabs on the town’s happenings, but not in a pretentious, professional way — they live here, so they are nothing but upfront about what’s a hit or a miss.
Best Of Reykjavík 2026: Best Theatre
For a city the size of Reykjavík, there’s definitely a lot going on (per capita, of course), and luckily for you, you’re holding (or scrolling through) an exhaustive list of hotspots worth your attention. Our cultural experts keep tabs on the town’s happenings, but not in a pretentious, professional way — they live here, so they are nothing but upfront about what’s a hit or a miss.
Best Of Reykjavík 2026: Best Artist-Run Space
For a city the size of Reykjavík, there’s definitely a lot going on (per capita, of course), and luckily for you, you’re holding (or scrolling through) an exhaustive list of hotspots worth your attention. Our cultural experts keep tabs on the town’s happenings, but not in a pretentious, professional way — they live here, so they are nothing but upfront about what’s a hit or a miss.
Best Of Reykjavík 2026: Best Gallery
For a city the size of Reykjavík, there’s definitely a lot going on (per capita, of course), and luckily for you, you’re holding (or scrolling through) an exhaustive list of hotspots worth your attention. Our cultural experts keep tabs on the town’s happenings, but not in a pretentious, professional way — they live here, so they are nothing but upfront about what’s a hit or a miss.
Best Of Reykjavík 2026: Best Permanent Exhibition
For a city the size of Reykjavík, there’s definitely a lot going on (per capita, of course), and luckily for you, you’re holding (or scrolling through) an exhaustive list of hotspots worth your attention. Our cultural experts keep tabs on the town’s happenings, but not in a pretentious, professional way — they live here, so they are nothing but upfront about what’s a hit or a miss.
Best Of Reykjavík 2026: Best Art Museum
For a city the size of Reykjavík, there’s definitely a lot going on (per capita, of course), and luckily for you, you’re holding (or scrolling through) an exhaustive list of hotspots worth your attention. Our cultural experts keep tabs on the town’s happenings, but not in a pretentious, professional way — they live here, so they are nothing but upfront about what’s a hit or a miss.
Best Of Reykjavík 2026: Best Museum
For a city the size of Reykjavík, there’s definitely a lot going on (per capita, of course), and luckily for you, you’re holding (or scrolling through) an exhaustive list of hotspots worth your attention. Our cultural experts keep tabs on the town’s happenings, but not in a pretentious, professional way — they live here, so they are nothing but upfront about what’s a hit or a miss.
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