Thursday, January 28, 2010

International Holocaust day not mentioned in Iceland

Nazi IcelandIcelanders known for their way of doing things differently. While the rest of the world was mentioning yesterday the international Holocaust day in ceremonies and programs for kids in school, here in Iceland the subject is almost ignored. Although Iceland didn't play important role in the Second World War. The Icelandic authorities didn't agree to accept refugees who escaped for their lives, which is one of the reasons why this is one of the only countries in Europe which is almost Jew free.

Neo-Nazi groups did operate in Iceland until recently and were part of the political scene. The photo on the left shows a parade of the Nationalist party of Iceland who were active around the time of WWII.

When most of Europe and the world acknowledges the importance of teaching the youth about the Holocaust, it's roots and tragic results. Iceland choose to ignore this day. Maybe hatred, racism and fascism is not in its everyday agenda but it's definitely exists not so deep under the surface. Iceland is a closed country which is very much xenophobic, up to this day many refugees are kept in prison like conditions without much hope of get an asylum.

Icelanders should learn more about one of the most important events in human history, which is also (I hope) one of humanities biggest lessons and tasks. To make sure horrors like this will never happen again.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Battle of the bands

Battle of the bands is a music contest that took off yesterday in Reykjavik, Iceland. The big winner of the night was a band from Olafsvik called Endless Dark. The winning got them a ticket to London to participate in the battle of the bands event that will take place there in April.

Endless Dark is a young in promising band who plays a combination of melodic hard core metal mixed with soft sparks that melts into their lyrics. There is a chance you might here about them someday but even if you wont at least you heard about them today.

Check out their page: www.myspace.com/endlessdarkband

Big cheers to the Viktor, Daníel, Atli, Gummi, Keli and Egill. Good luck guys and kick some ass in London!

Endless Dark

No doubt there is a correlation between battle of the bands and the battle to follow ones dreams. Even if both appear to be the same, it is not the same battle. As in life, some battles are nothing but mere dreams but others are the ones that make you wake up in the morning sweating...

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The spirit of Iceland

spirit of icelandIf you want to see the spirit of Iceland in action, check out this clip.
A bunch of talented friends, unemployed due the recent economic crisis joined together one Saturday to create one of the best music clips I've seen in my life. Broke and bored they wanted to create something different from everything they knew.

They said it was the best Saturday of their lives.

Thanks Brendsen for the supertime!