Composer Gudnadottir nominated for the 2017 Harpa award

Photo Credit: www.digitalinberlin.de

Icelandic cellist and composer Hildur Gudnadottir has been nominated for the 2017 Harpa award with her score for Balthasar Kormakur’s feature film The Oath (Eidurinn). Other nominees for best score are Danish Sune Martin for his score to Martin Zandvliets drama “Land of Mine”, Norwegian Gaute Storaas for his score to Hannes Holms comedy “En mand der hedder Ove”, Swedish/Finish Marko Nyberg for his score to Ville Jankeris comedy, “Onnenonkija” and Swedish Sophia Ersson for her score to Alexandra-Therese Keinings drama “Pojkerne”. The award will be handed out at Cannes, May 2017 in connection with Directors Fortnight and in cooperation with ECSA. According to the nomination text her score for “The Oath” has been hailed as a major success, complementing every scene with a confident vision of the correct angles and moods, serving the film perfectly. Her very modern sense, combined with her classical background, makes for a rare outcome in this most outstanding score of the year in Icelandic filmmaking. At a reasonably young age she has, with her score to The Oath, created an identity, which is both original and stylish” Gudnadottir is a veteran in contemporary music despite her young age, she’s a classically trained cellist and has played and recorded with a wide range of bands such as Pan Sonic, Throbbing Gristle and Mum, as well as her solo project Lost in Hildurness. She has also toured with Animal Collective and drone metal band Sunn O))). Gudnadottir has released four critically acclaimed solo albums and composed music for theatre, dance performances and films. The Icelandic Symphony Orchestra, Icelandic National Theatre, Tate Modern, The British Film Institute, The Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm and Gothenburg National Theatre are amongst the institutions that have commissioned new works by Gudnadottir. IceNews Photo

Artist Ragnar Kjartansson among the twelve awarded the Order of the Falcon on New Years Day By Selma Ó

President Guðni Th. Johannesson, awarded twelve individuals the Order of the Falcon in an annual ceremony at the presidential residency Bessastadir yesterday. Six men and six women received the Order for their outstanding contribution to a variety of fields such as science, arts, search and rescue and culture. The Order of the Falcon is a national Order of Iceland, established by King Christian X of Denmark and Iceland in 1921. Benóný Asgrimsson helicopter pilot was awarded for his contribution to search and rescue, Bjorn G. Bjornsson set designer for innovation in his field, Professor Eirikur Rognvaldsson for his contribution to the preservation of the Icelandic language, Gerdur Gudmundsottir Bjarklind with the National Broadcasting service for her contribution to Radio, Gunnhildur Oskarsdottir for her contribution and support to cancer research and health education awareness, Kolbrun Halldorsdottir theatre director and president of the Icelandic association of Artists for her contribution to theatre and to Icelandic arts. Peggy Oliver Helgason, occupational therapist, for his contribution to children’s health in Iceland. Ragnar Kjartansson visual artist, for his contribution to Icelandic and international visual arts. Sigridur Sigthorsdottir architect, for her contribution to Icelandic architecture. Author Sigurdur Palsson for his contribution to Icelandic literature. Thorbjorg Arnorsdottir, head of Hali II in South Iceland for cultural contribution in her community in the south of Iceland. Thor Jakobson meteorologist, for his contribution for environmental science. The Order of the Falcon was established during a royal visit to Iceland in 1921, when King Christian X issued the royal decree founding the Icelandic Order. New statutes were incorporated for the Order in 1944, when Iceland became a republic. It may be awarded to both Icelanders and citizens of other countries for achievements in Iceland or internationally. The President of Iceland is the designated Grand Master of the Order. A council of five makes recommendations on awards to the Grand Master, who then grants the award. However, the Grand Master may award the Order without recommendations from the Order Council. The Grand Master and the Chairman of the Order Council then sign the Letters Patent, which are given to those who receive the awards. IceNews

Iceland becoming 'Disneyland' as US tourists outnumber locals By Hugh Morris

Photo Credit: www.demilked.com

Iceland, a country hailed for offering a secluded, otherworldly travel experience, is being turned into Disneyland, it has been suggested, as new figures show that the number of American visitors this year will surpass the country’s population. The capital Reykjavik has been transformed over the last few years as the number of tourists visiting the island has soared, nearly all of whom arrive via the city’s airport on the south coast. And Birgitta Jonsdottir, leader of the anti-establishment Pirate Party, which could yet form the next government later this month, is not pleased about the new arrivals. “It’s like the city is not my city any more,” she said. “It’s like Disneyland downtown.” The exceptional growth of Iceland’s tourism industry is well documented, with dramatic year-on-year rises since 2010, but 2016 will mark the first time that the total number of American tourists will be greater than the number of Icelandic residents. New figures released by the Icelandic Tourist Board detailing arrivals for 2016 up to the end of September show 325,522 visitors from the US. The Icelandic population is 332,000. The number of US visitors will continue to rise through to the end of the year, and contribute to the estimated 1,500,000 visitors from around the world -  the figure was 1,353,000 by the end of September. In 2010, the annual number of global visitors was 459,000; back in 1996 it was just 200,000. Jonsdottir said her party wanted restrictions on the numbers of tourists visiting natural sites outside the city, which often lack basic facilities such as toilets, and would introduce a tax on hotels to help fund tourism infrastructure. The rush of travellers drawn to the island's glaciers, geo-thermal pools, extra-terrestrial landscapes, and seasonal Northern Lights displays has meant the country’s fledgling tourism infrastructure has been under mounting pressure, while the capital has seen an increase in hotels and souvenir shops, and rising rental costs for residents. This month a poll by broadcaster RUV found that 87 per cent of Icelanders believe the government should impose larger fees or taxes on tourists. Though the country welcomes the revenue created – filling the growing hole left by slumps in the industries of both fishing and aluminium – there is concern over the burden placed on the country. The government is currently in the middle of a nine-year tourism strategy that runs to 2020, with a focus on improving infrastructure while also “protecting and maintaining” tourist sites. “The development of tourism infrastructure shall aim at protecting nature, and the tourism strategy shall aim at incorporating the concepts of sustainability and responsibility for Iceland’s culture and natural surroundings,” it said. However, it would not have been prepared for the enormous growth experienced after the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull, and subsequent ash cloud that shut down European airspace for seven days, helped put the country on the map. It coincided with a PR drive from the Icelandic tourist board, while its appearance in the HBO series Game of Thrones provided further encouragement to visit. Since 2010, arrivals have soared. This year alone, the number of visitors from January to August is up 33 per cent on the same period in 2015. British visitors over the eight months are up 32 per cent to 200,000. Tourism officials believe Iceland will welcome two million visitors a year by 2020. The influx has caused a number of issues for the country. Attractions around the Golden Circle and south coast have become increasingly busy, with coach-loads of tourists flocking to see the Gulfoss waterfall, Thingvellir national park and the Geysir geothermal park. Iceland’s tourism authority has attempted to educate visitors of both the risks to their safety and the importance of maintaining natural sites. In March it launched a course on how to stay safe in the country, with a spokesperson at the time saying: “The majority of tourists want to experience nature, and we know that Icelandic nature must be treated with respect and care.” Photographs posted on social media showing tourists ignoring safety barriers have not endeared them to the Icelandic public. Attempts to advertise the appeals of eastern Iceland, including new direct flights this year from Discover the World to Egilsstaðir, are designed to take the pressure off the south-west of the country and Reykjavik’s Keflavik airport. The Telegraph Photo

Icelandic author to publish two books with Penguin in the UK By K. Jóhannsson

Author Ragnar Jónasson has signed a two book contract with Michael Joseph at Penguin Random House UK. Orenda also a UK based publishing house, published Jónasson’s Dark Iceland series but MJ acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, including audio, to two new crime novels; The Darkness (Dimma) and The Island (Drungi). According to The Bookseller’s report, the new series revolves around female detective Hulda Hermannsdóttir, who in The Darkness is called to investigate when the body of a young Russian asylum seeker is found and the second book; The Island deals with the investigation of two murders, 10 years apart. “The series is set across a variety of Icelandic landscapes, in Reykjavik, the Icelandic highlands, in an isolated fjord and on one of Iceland’s islands.” according to the report. “Ragnar Jónasson has fast become one of the most respected authors of the crime genre and is one of the most talented. In this new series he promises even more. Hulda is a fantastic creation, a memorable, complex and emotionally engaging character, and one we are sure readers in the UK and beyond will want to follow for many books to come.” according to MJ publishing director, Maxine Hitchcock. Ragnar Jónasson was born in Reykjavik where he works as a writer and a lawyer. He also teaches copyright law at Reykjavik University, has previously worked on radio and television, including as a TV-news reporter for the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service and has translated 14 of Agatha Christie’s novels into Icelandic. He is the co-founder of the Iceland Noir festival which takes place in Iceland in November and recently set up the first overseas chapter of the CWA, in Reykjavik. IceNews Ragnar Jónasson