Welcome to the Reykjavík Grapevine’s Iceland Roundup, where we blend the latest headlines with local insights. This week, our publisher, Jón Trausti Sigurðarson, is joined by Heimildin editor Aðalsteinn Kjartansson and contributor Sindri Eldon to delve into the stories that have captured attention over the past few weeks.
Here’s what’s on the agenda this week:
The year draws to a close with New Year’s Eve, marked by a unique cultural event that Icelanders celebrate in various ways. Our hosts will unpack its significance, and you can explore this article for additional insights.
In a noteworthy political move, Iceland’s Prime Minister, Kristrún Frostadóttir, took to Facebook on Sunday to assert, “Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Nothing about Greenland without Greenland. Iceland stands in full solidarity behind our friends.” Following this, on Monday, Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir penned an op-ed for Vísir, expressing, “The international system we have lived with since the end of the Second World War is shaking at its foundations. Historic forces are at play, generating uncertainties and threats that would have seemed implausible just years ago.” These statements respond to recent tensions surrounding the U.S. seizure of Venezuela’s president and former President Trump’s provocative remarks about Greenland.
In economic news, the **price of gas dropped by one-third on the first day of the new year**, a result of changes in how the Icelandic government levies taxes on automobiles.
Tragedy struck as 51-year-old Kjartan Sævar Óttarsson was reported to have died on the front lines in Ukraine around December 20. His brother revealed that Kjartan had traveled from Gothenburg, Sweden, to Ukraine on December 7, though details surrounding his mission and the circumstances of his death remain unclear.
Lastly, the hosts reflect on the possibilities and uncertainties that lie ahead in this new year.
