Our list of 10 most popular stories in 2015 is a mixture of news, local tips and humor. Topping the list is a hilarious video outtake from a legendary local comedy show tackling the cardinal rule of Iceland's geothermal pools. For some newcomers it can be quite perplexing.
The most read news story of the year was about Reykjavík City Council’s decision to rename a street in the capital after Darth Vader from Star Wars. The city council also made to the top 10 for its decision to not buy any goods manufactured in Israel as long as the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories continued. After the council came under fierce criticism it backed down, explaining that the decision had been poorly prepared and widely misunderstood.
One of our biggest stories of 2015 evolved around the Icelandic Pagan Association’s plan to build the first central pagan temple in the Nordic countries in nearly a thousand years. The news was received with international interest and some foreign practitioners of the faith expressed their dismay with the liberal beliefs and attitudes of their Icelandic religious brethren and sisters. However, the dissidents were soon completely overrun with international support for the Icelandic Pagans, which warmed the hearts of all people of reason and tolerance.
Here is the complete list, enjoy!
1. Video: Beware of the Icelandic vigilante shower wardens
A shower warden catches a visitor trying to break the cardinal rule of entering the pool without washing thoroughly— without a bathing suit.
2. Reykjavík names a street after Darth Vader from Star Wars
The street was named Svarthöfði, or Black-Head, which is the Icelandic name of the Sith Lord. Icelanders usually develop new Icelandic terms for new or modern concepts and phenomena.
3. An American in Reykjavik: A list of Icelandic souvenirs worth buying
A very popular guide focused on how to find an authentic gift from Iceland for your family and friends — or just something for yourself as a reminder of your trip
4. 10 words and phrases in Icelandic that don’t exist in English
Don’t get lost in translation. This is our first chapter of words in Icelandic that don't have direct English translations (and a few of them have a cultural reference that you might even consider hilarious).
5. Construction of a pagan temple to begin in Reykjavík next month
This will be the first central pagan temple to be built in the Nordic countries in nearly a thousand years.
6. Icelandic airline crew lands the first Boeing 757 passenger jet in history on the Antarctic ice sheet
It was the first time a Boeing commercial passenger jet landed in Antarctica.
7. Member of parliament bares breast in support of #Free the nipple campaign
Björt Ólafsdóttir joined the growing number of Icelandic women who ‘freed the nipple’ on Twitter. The parliamentarian published a photo of her breast under the caption: “This is for feeding babies. Shove that up your patriarchy.”
8. The Icelandic Pagan Association receives hate-mail from reactionary pagans abroad
Some foreign practitioners of the faith were unhappy with the liberal beliefs and attitudes of Icelandic religion.
9. 26 bankers already sentenced to a combined 74 years in prison
Icelandic courts have been busy sentencing bankers to serve long time in jail for crimes relating to the financial collapse in 2008.
10. Reykjavík City will boycott Israeli products
The City Council voted that the city would not purchase any goods manufactured in Israel as long as the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories continues.
Our list of 10 most popular stories in 2015 is a mixture of news, local tips and humor. Topping the list is a hilarious video outtake from a legendary local comedy show tackling the cardinal rule of Iceland's geothermal pools. For some newcomers it can be quite perplexing.
The most read news story of the year was about Reykjavík City Council’s decision to rename a street in the capital after Darth Vader from Star Wars. The city council also made to the top 10 for its decision to not buy any goods manufactured in Israel as long as the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories continued. After the council came under fierce criticism it backed down, explaining that the decision had been poorly prepared and widely misunderstood.
One of our biggest stories of 2015 evolved around the Icelandic Pagan Association’s plan to build the first central pagan temple in the Nordic countries in nearly a thousand years. The news was received with international interest and some foreign practitioners of the faith expressed their dismay with the liberal beliefs and attitudes of their Icelandic religious brethren and sisters. However, the dissidents were soon completely overrun with international support for the Icelandic Pagans, which warmed the hearts of all people of reason and tolerance.
Here is the complete list, enjoy!
1. Video: Beware of the Icelandic vigilante shower wardens
A shower warden catches a visitor trying to break the cardinal rule of entering the pool without washing thoroughly— without a bathing suit.
2. Reykjavík names a street after Darth Vader from Star Wars
The street was named Svarthöfði, or Black-Head, which is the Icelandic name of the Sith Lord. Icelanders usually develop new Icelandic terms for new or modern concepts and phenomena.
3. An American in Reykjavik: A list of Icelandic souvenirs worth buying
A very popular guide focused on how to find an authentic gift from Iceland for your family and friends — or just something for yourself as a reminder of your trip
4. 10 words and phrases in Icelandic that don’t exist in English
Don’t get lost in translation. This is our first chapter of words in Icelandic that don't have direct English translations (and a few of them have a cultural reference that you might even consider hilarious).
5. Construction of a pagan temple to begin in Reykjavík next month
This will be the first central pagan temple to be built in the Nordic countries in nearly a thousand years.
6. Icelandic airline crew lands the first Boeing 757 passenger jet in history on the Antarctic ice sheet
It was the first time a Boeing commercial passenger jet landed in Antarctica.
7. Member of parliament bares breast in support of #Free the nipple campaign
Björt Ólafsdóttir joined the growing number of Icelandic women who ‘freed the nipple’ on Twitter. The parliamentarian published a photo of her breast under the caption: “This is for feeding babies. Shove that up your patriarchy.”
8. The Icelandic Pagan Association receives hate-mail from reactionary pagans abroad
Some foreign practitioners of the faith were unhappy with the liberal beliefs and attitudes of Icelandic religion.
9. 26 bankers already sentenced to a combined 74 years in prison
Icelandic courts have been busy sentencing bankers to serve long time in jail for crimes relating to the financial collapse in 2008.
10. Reykjavík City will boycott Israeli products
The City Council voted that the city would not purchase any goods manufactured in Israel as long as the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories continues.
