Raving Ravens

Reykjavik Tourist Video from 1926!

Visit Reykjavik just dug up this old film somewhere on the net which was shot by tourists in Reykjavik in 1926. It shows what the capital looked like and though it's been 86 years, most of these houses are still there, we still have the same three men as the entire police force and some of those kids do look familiar. Maybe I know their great grand children... Heck, maybe I am their great grand child ;)

 

In the beginning of the film you can see as they sail ashore. Make notice that this is at midnight! The big building there is now Radisson Blu 1919 though it is a bit further from the harbour today, as a landfill was created some decades back. You sometimes see crowds gathering in the spot where the crowd is starting at 0:39, but nowadays they're in line waiting for a hot dog at Bæjarins Bestu.

Most of the shots are taken at the corner of Austurstræti and Pósthússtræti standing outside Landsbankinn, which still stands and is still the same bank. Well, same name at least ;) The church is the Domkirkjan (cathedral) by Austurvollur. 

If you're an Icelander watching this, show it to the eldest in your family and see if you can recognize some of the faces :)

Do you see anything you recognize from your visits to Reykjavik?

Hjörtur

The Mayor of Reykjavik in Drag on a Puzzle

Today is the "pink day" here in Iceland, and actually, the whole of October is a pink month. The use of the colour pink is to raise awareness of breast cancer, as you may be familiar with from your own country. 

Today Puzzled by Iceland, a new startup by two girls on maternity leave here in Iceland has launched a new product. It's a 500 piece puzzle in a new series called "Puzzled by People" and this first product is with a picture of the Mayor of Reykjavik, the comedian that got elected in protest to the old political system. But it's no ordinary picture of the mayor. It's a picture of him dressed in drag during gay pride. He's not gay though, he was just showing support to the gay rights campaign.

I congratulate them on their puzzle success, and celebrate the way the mayor challenges the conventional images and ideas people have of politicians and the political system in general.

Here you can order the puzzle with the mayor in drag. Until October 14th, $4 or ISK 500 will go to the Icelandic Cancer Society. 

Hjörtur

Fireworks in Reykjavik on New Year's Eve

Reykjavik was chosen as one of the best places to by on New Year's Eve by Skyscanner and if you like fireworks and partying, it sure is the place.

Here are a few pictures of Reykjavik city on fire on New Year's Eve:

Fireworks all over the place. Image by ang_on_ice

Pretty much every single house in Reykjavik puts on their own show at midnight. Image by Dr Hoddson

Church towers illuminated by the fireworks. Image by Marco Franchino.

Trying to count the simultaneous explosions at midnight is like trying to count the stars - in one minute! Image by Ang_on_ice

Perlan - the pearl. One of Reykjavik's icons and HUGE fireworks ;) Image by Sigurjón Jónasson.

More fireworks. Image by Johann V Gislason.

And a video of all the fun ;)

 

On the night of January 6th there's some additional shooting of fireworks, as that is the last day of Christmas in Iceland - yes, we have 13 days of Christmas :)

See you in Reykjavik next new year's eve!

Hjörtur Smárason

 

You can follow Raving Ravens on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.