Shopping in Downtown Reykjavík

Shopping in Downtown Reykjavík

Reykjavík offers excellent possibilities for shopping, especially unique Icelandic designs, inspired by the country’s beautiful nature and landscape. It surprises many that the prices of designer and luxury goods are often considerably lower than expected. This is partly because retailers don’t have to pay exhorbitant costs for high street space as they do in larger cities. Iceland has seen a growing number of designers offering their unique creations in several stores in Reykjavík (see a list later in the chapter of Icelandic designers).

These designers have often studied abroad and return to enrich the country with their unbound creativity, colours and forms that show an international flair, and yet are firmly rooted in Icelandic culture. For those who are looking for souvenirs or bargains, Reykjavík has plenty to offer. There are a number of charity shops selling second-hand clothing and items, and Kolaportið, Iceland‘s indoor flea market where Icelandic jumpers and delicacies are sold at acceptable prices, is a must-stop for bargains.

Reykjavík’s Main Shopping Streets

The main shopping area of Reykjavík centres around three streets, namely Laugavegur, Bankastræti, and Skólavörðustígur. However, other interesting shops are often hidden in the side streets, so it pays to make a turn every now and then. The Grandi district and Old Harbour Area are home to many designer stores/open workshops, restaurants, museums and more. It is a wonderful example of the blending of two main industries, fishing and tourism. This mixture of galleries, jewellers, fashion designers, handcrafts and second-hand stores are mostly housed in disused baiting sheds or fishermen‘s garages and has become a social hub for designers and buyers alike.

Laugavegur

Taking a slow amble down Laugavegur, the longest shopping street in Reykjavík, can be an enjoyable way to do your last minute shopping. It is also a good opportunity to buy something special from Iceland. Laugavegur offers the greatest number of shops with an emphasis on fashionable goods of all shapes and sizes, as well as speciality stores, cheaper souvenir shops, cafés and restaurants. At no. 8, Álafoss displays beautiful woollen products from yarn to Icelandic blankets. The handknitted Icelandic jumpers called “lopapeysur”, are all marked with the knitter’s name to ensure authenticity. The original factory shop in Mosfellsbær is also popular to visit. Fjallakofinn Outdoor Centre at Laugavegur 11 sells clothes and equipment for outdoor lifestyles from hiking to cycling as well as a good selection of camping goods. At Laugavegur 62 you will find JS Watch Company and retail shop where Gilbert Ó. Guðjónsson, one of Iceland’s best known watchmakers will give you a concentrated smile.

A shop in the capital. Photo - Elena

Bankastræti

The short street that runs up the hill from Lækjartorg, to meet Laugavegur, is a design lover’s delight. Filled with jewellers and design clothes stores, this short street also hosts Iceland‘s favourite coffee shop, Kaffitár at Bankastræti 8. There are 6 outlets dotted over Reykjavík with the latest opening in the new exhibition centre at Perlan. Motivated by passion and professionalism, Kaffitár is always a delight to visit. The world of 66° North takes up no. 5 with its popular outdoor clothes. At the corner of Þingholtsstræti and Bankastræti, Icewear has a big store on 2 floors also selling popular outdoor fashions. Further up the road at no.17 there isa children‘s Icewear store with a good selection of outdoor clothing for kids. ZO-ON Iceland is at no. 10 and sells trendy clothing for all sorts of weather, encouraging people to “Get Out There” and enjoy the great outdoors.

Skólavörðustígur

Skólavörðustígur is one of the most attractive streets in Reykjavík. It runs from the corner of the main shopping streets, Laugavegur and Bankastræti, up to the magnificent Hallgrímskirkja church. In front of the church, a statue of Leifur-the-Lucky watches over the shoppers as they walk along the street, admiring the charming old houses, browsing through the windows of stores and galleries. Whether you’re looking for Icelandic design, souvenirs, woollen goods, photographs of Iceland or exotic arts and crafts, you’ll find it here.

Near the top of the street and the church is the artist Lana Matusa at Skólavörðustígur 41. Lana has participated in more than 120 international shows. Inspired by Icelandic nature, the artist creates beautiful high-fired ceramics with a special lava design – unique in Iceland. Since the store is also Lana’s work studio, customers have direct contact with the artist. The Handknitting Association at no. 19 is good for woollen goods. Across the street at no. 20, Gjóska displays unique clothing inspired by Icelandic lava, glaciers, volcanoes and moss. These elements are all reflected in the garments using Icelandic wool to create a beautifully simple style. Guðlaugur A. Magnússon (GAM) at no. 10 is a long-established jeweller shop and silversmith renowned for its creative, unique designs and high quality pieces.

There are a number of art galleries dotted along Skólavörðurstígur as well as eclectic coffee shops. Further away from the centre at Dalbraut, you will find the artisan Jóhannes in his store, Icelandic Knives. These knives are handmade with the finest steel and unique shafts of wood or bone. The specialized Icelandic Hunting Knife is a firm favourite amongst buyers.

Aðalstræti: Reykjavík’s Oldest Area

Aðalstræti is Reykjavík’s oldest street where Iceland’s settler, Ingólfur Arnarson, built his farm after 874. This short street is filled with artists and designers who offer their unique wares to discerning connoisseurs of good taste.

No. 10 is the oldest building in the city. Aðalstræti consists of hotels, restaurants and shops. On the corner at Vesturgata, the Icewear shop and market recently opened with a great variety of goods. Further up the street is

Kirsuberjatréð, where the original 19th century shelves are filled with colourful and lively clothes, accessories, utensils and decorative pieces for the home. Everything is handmade by the eleven women who run this well- known co-operative of artists.

The City Library with the Reykjavik Photographic Museum is only 50 meters away towards the old harbour area, next to the Reykjavik Art Museum.

An Up-Close Look at American History

An Up-Close Look at American History

Historian James M.McPherson, whose Civil War history Battle Cry and Freedom won the Pulitzer Prize, considers these the nation's more interesting sites:

Antietam National Battlefield: Sharpsburg, Md. The first invasion of the North was stopped here in 1862. At the battle's end, more men had been killed or wounded than on any other days of the Civil War.

Appomattox Court House National Historical Parl: Appomattox, Va. On April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant here. Although it would be several weeks before the Confederacy fell, the surrender in effect ended the war.

Boston National Historical Park. Boston, Mass. The birth of the American Revolution is commemorated here. The 2.5-mile Freedom Trail connects 16 National Historic Park sites, including the Old North Church and the Paul Revere House.

Colonial Williamsburg. Williamsburg, Va. From 1699 to 1776, Williamsburg was the capital of England's oldest, largest, richest, and most populous colony, Today the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation preserves 173 acres of the original 220-acre town just as it was on the eve of the Revolution.

Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania county battlefields Memorial National Military Park. Fredericksburg, Va. The site of four major battles of the Civil War. Notable sites include the Jackson Shrine, the house where Stonewall Jackson died.

Up-Close look at Nature. Photo by Elena.

Gettysburg National Military Park: Gettysburg, Penn. The greatest battle of the Civil War was fought here from July 3 to July 3, 1863 – a repulse of the second attempted Confederate invasion of the North and the turning point of the war.

Hagley Museum and Library. Wilmington. Del. Part of the original du Pont Mills Estate and Gardens, built on 240 acres along the Brandy-wine River. Sights include a restored workers' community and the Potterworks, where some of the first power tools were used.

Lowell, National Historic Park. Lowell, Mass. America's first large-scale planned industrial community was founded here in 1826, introducing high-volume manufacturing to the United States. McPherson notes the town belongs to the time before industrialization turned ugly.

Shiloh National Military Park. Shiloh, Tenn. The site of the daring surprise attack by the Confederates and the massive counteroffensive by the Union Army. The park and National Cemetery overlook the Tennessee River.

Vicksburg National Military Park. Vicksburg, Miss. A 47-day siege here ended July 4, 1983, with the surrender of Vicksburg, giving the North control of the Mississippi River. Sites include the USS Cairo, an ironclad Civil War gunboat.

The Handknitting Association of Iceland

The Handknitting Association of Iceland

Handknitting Association of Iceland: For centuries, Icelanders have depended on sheep to provide the wool for warm knitted garments that helped them to endure the long, cold winters. So knitting, which used to be first and foremost a necessity, is still a pastime for many and a highly appreciated craft.

Traditional handknitted Icelandic sweaters, known in Iceland as “lopapeysa”, are still as popular as ever. They are now a fashionable item to be worn at home or to social gatherings.

“Ever since the economic crisis a few years back, there has been a revival in the use of traditional Icelandic materials and craftsmanship and we’ve seen a resurgence in the popularity of the handknitted. Back in 1977, a few Icelandic women who had used their knitting to supplement family incomes, decided to join forces. The aim was to establish an organisation that could facilitate better and more extensive marketing of their products. Thus the Handknitting Association was born. Soon after it was established, the Association opened a store to sell members’woollen goods. Offering a wide selection of traditional handknitted Icelandic sweaters, the range of products also includes special designs and a variety of woollen products from leading Icelandic manufacturers. Naturally, with hundreds of active knitters remaining, the main store located at Skólavörðustígur 19, in one of the oldest parts of town, is the main destination for Icelandic wool, patterns and supplies.

“Right from the very start, our motto has been: Buy directly from the people who make them. We maintain a high standard and each hand-made garment is quality checked before it reaches the shelves of our shops. Our customers can count on the fact that they’re buying quality products made with unique Icelandic materials.“

Handknitting. Photo by Elena

Main Events and Holidays in Reykjavík and Iceland

Main Events and Holidays in Reykjavík and Iceland

JANUARY

January 1, New Year’s Day – A day to relax after the festivities of New Year’s Eve. Almost everything is closed.

Dark Music Days Hosted by the Society of Icelandic Composers in collaboration with Iceland’s finest performers.

FEBRUARY

Þorrablót – Food & drink festivities held in the old winter month of “Þorri”. People gather to sing songs, drink and eat traditional Icelandic food.

Winter Lights Festival – An annual 3-day event that brightens up the dark hours.

MARCH

Food & Fun Festival – Annual week-long festival featuring well-known foreign chefs visiting Iceland to compete with their counterparts.

Reykjavík Fashion Festival – The newest from Icelandic designers, introducing developments and opportunities in the Icelandic fashion industry. RFF collaborates with DesignMarch, where the best of the local creative scene is introduced, ranging from fashion to architecture to graphic design.

Reykjavík Blues Festival – A unique jam session with blues artists from Iceland and North America.

APRIL

Easter – Holy Thursday marks the start of the Easter holidays for Icelanders, who enjoy a 5-day weekend where businesses, banks, government institutions and most shops are closed.

Port Area. Photo by Elena

First Day of Summer – The first Thursday after April 18, a public holiday. Celebrated with parades all around the country.

Children’s Cultural Festival – One of the largest festivals held by the City of Reykjavík. The festival places emphasis on participation, focusing particularly on the child as an artist.

Icelandic Music Experiments – This festival has been the main musical outlet for new bands in Iceland since 1982 and a milestone event for many promising new bands in Iceland.

At Home Music Festival – A music festival held in private homes centrally located in Hafnarfjörður. Guests stroll from house to house to enjoy live music and meet up with locals at their own homes.

MAY

May 1, Labour Day – A public holiday in Iceland that is celebrated by an annual parade in the city centre.

Reykjavík Art Festival – An annual 3-week festival promoting Icelandic, Scandinavian and international culture. A variety of exhibitions, concerts, theatre, dance and opera performances.

Art without Borders – The aim of the festival is to celebrate diversity and participation of people with disabilities. The festival crosses over mixed media of art, music and theatre.

JUNE

1st weekend, Seamen´s Day – Annual event based on an old Icelandic tradition to honour those who make their living from the sea.

The International Organ Summer – June – August. Lunchtime organ concerts on Thursdays at noon at Hallgrímskirkja Church. Various musicians perform various pieces of organ music.

Viking Festival – A week long festival, held in and around the Viking Village in Hafnarfjörður. Swordfighting, craftsmen at work, magic, music and real Vikings.

June 17, National Day – This is the day Icelanders celebrate independence. Parades and festivities for people of all ages all around the country.

The Color Run – Come and run with us through five kilometers of exploding coloured powder. The aim of this event is to bring Color Running mania to the world! Secret Solstice – An Icelandic music festival showcasing both established artists and exciting up-and- coming talent.

JULY

1st weekend – Second largest travel weekend in the country. Travelers enjoy camping in the Icelandic countryside or visiting summer houses.

AUGUST

1st weekend, Bank Holiday – A holiday commemorating the traditional shopkeeper’s summer break. Celebrated wildly by those young at heart with music and camping festivals all around the country.

2nd weekend, Reykjavík Pride – Thousands of people gather in a large, international parade to march through the streets of the city. Includes an outdoor concert with Icelandic and international artists, along with dances and other activities. The parade was originally invented to fight for gay people’s rights.

3rd weekend, Reykjavík Marathon – Thousands of people of all ages from all over the world take part and run through the streets of the city.

3rd weekend, Reykjavík Cultural Night The celebration takes place in the city centre with the participation of many artists, cultural institutions, shops and cafés. The evening ends with a big firework display down by the harbour.

Í TÚNINU HEIMA Festival – A family festival close to Reykjavik, in the beautiful town of Mosfellsbær. Offering great handcraft in the famous Álafoss Factory. At night, famous Icelandic musicians will perform.

SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER

Reykjavík Film Festival – Icelandic and international films are screened with emphasis on artistic films.

Reykjavík Jazz Festival – Nationally and internationally recognised artists play in different venues across the city.

NOVEMBER

Iceland Airwaves – A five day music festival bringing bands from all over the world to Reykjavík to play in small venues all around the capital.

DECEMBER

December 1, Independence Day – On this day in 1918, Iceland was officially declared an independent nation.

December 21, Winter Solstice – The shortest day of the year. The sun rises at 11:22, grazes the horizon and sets at 15:30.

December 23, Þorláksmessa – This day pays tribute to one of the few indigenous saints of Iceland, St. Þorlákur. Christmas preparations reach high point and shops are open until 11 PM.

December 24, Christmas Eve – At 6 PM the church bells toll to mark the beginning of Christmas. Many people go to church and a Christmas mass is broadcast live on radio. After having Christmas dinner, Icelanders sit down to open their presents. December 25, Christmas Day – A public holiday reserved by many Icelanders for the purpose of visiting family and friends and sitting down to meals of festive fare.

December 31, New Year’s Eve – Icelanders say goodbye to the old year with an enormous fireworks display which illuminates the sky around midnight.

Common Application

The Common Application

More and More colleges are using a standardized application form

Everyone who has applied to college knows that the admissions process can be an arduous, time-consuming task. In an effort to simplify this process, hundreds of private colleges and universities across the U.S. Noe accept the Common Application. In the past, the typical high school senior who applied to multiple schools often had to fill out redundant forms and compose a number of challenging essays. Now the student can fill out one form and answer a single essay question and then send copies to schools such as Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Swarthmore, Pomona, New York University, and so on.

When Harvard began accepting the Common Application in 1995, it experienced a 16 percent rise in applications, although that increase was not enitriley due to the Common Application. But Harvard admissions officials credit the Common Application with improving the geographical diversity of its admissions pool and increasing the number of applicants with top grades and test scores.

This is the wave of the future. Photograph by Elena.

The Common Application is proving popular with many overburdened high-school teachers and administrators, who need not submit as many versions of teacher evaluations and secondary school reports as a result. Some high school guidance counsellors worry, however, that students will be too cavalier about the number and types of schools they apply to as a result of the easier application process.

Just because a college accepts the Common Application doesn't mean that it is limited to asking questions that appear on the standard form. Many also require a supplemental form. Harvard, for example, require candidates to identify more completely special academic, extracurricular, and vocational interests, to list non-academic honors, and to provide advanced placement test scores. The university also allows the candidate to send music tapes, slides of artwork, or samples of academic work, and gives applications a chance to answer a second essay question should the topic required by the Common Application seem limited.

While the Common Application eliminates unnecessary paperwork, applications that are completely paperless will soon be common. The National Association of Secondary School Principals, which distributes the Common Application, has also made the forms available online introducing the electronic application system. But not all colleges and universities have joined the program, and till our days some of them accept only a printout of the application.

Everyone can obtain a copy of the Common Application in the Internet.