Embassy of Iceland - Washington D.C., USA
House of Sweden, 2900 K Street N.W. #509, Washington DC 20007-1704, - Tel.: +1 (202) 265 6653
News and Events
Newsletter September edition from the Embassy of Iceland in Washington, DC
The September edition of our Newsletter is full of news, facts and stories of interest related to Iceland and Icelanders in the United States. Click below to see the content and read the newsletter in whole.
Minister of Finance on the status and positive signs in Iceland's economy
Iceland's Minister of Finance, Steingrimur J. Sigfusson, discusses the status and positive signs to be seen in Iceland's economy in a new article, Rising from the Ruins.
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Prime Minister of Iceland is one of Time's top 10 female leaders
Johanna Sigurdardottir, Prime Minister of Iceland, is second on Time magazine's top ten list of female leaders in the world.
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Forsætisráðherra á lista Time yfir tíu helstu kvenleiðtoga heims
Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir forsætisráðherra er í öðru sæti á lista fréttatímaritsins Time yfir tíu helsu kvenleiðtoga heims.
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Atlantic Conference on Eyjafjallajökull and Aviation
International conference on the effects of the volcanic eruption in Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland on aviation. The conference is organized by Keilir Aviation Academy in cooperation with the President of Iceland, the Icelandic Ministry of Transport, the Civil Aviation Administration, ISAVIA, the Icelandic Meteorological Office, Institute of Earth Sciences at University of Iceland, Icelandair, ICAO, IATA, ATA, AEA, the US Embassy in Iceland and the Russian Federations Embassy in Iceland.
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Nordic and Baltic Ministries, Central Banks and Supervisory Authorities sign Agreement on Financial Stability
A co-operation agreement on cross-border financial stability, crisis management and resolution between the finance ministries and other relevant ministries, central banks and financial supervisory authorities of the Nordic and Baltic countries has been signed. The agreement enhances preparedness to handle cross-border financial stability concerns in the financially integrated Nordic-Baltic region.
The Snorri Sturluson Icelandic Fellowships
The Snorri Sturluson Icelandic Fellowships are granted to writers, translators and scholars (not students) in the field of humanities from outside Iceland, to enable them to stay in Iceland for a period of at least three months, in order to improve their knowledge of the Icelandic language, culture and society.
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Harpa, Reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, will open on 4 May 2011
On 29 June 2010 Pétur J. Eiríksson, chairman of Portus announced that the official opening of Harpa concert hall and opening concert by the Iceland Symphony Orchestra would take place on 4 May 2011. The opening concert will be conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy.
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Experience Iceland, with some of the world's finest photographic instructors and elite locals. Experience the workshops of a lifetime.
July newsletter from the Embassy of Iceland in Washington, D.C.
Message from Hillary Rodham Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State, on 17 June, Iceland's Independence day.
The Perlan theatre group at VSA international festival in Washington D.C.
New Mayor of Reykjavík featured in Saturday 26 June profile of the New York Times.
The Inspired by Iceland campaign is organizing a concert 1 July online at 4PM EST.
One marital law for all Icelanders.
and more...
>>>Anna Halldorsdottir releases her third solo album,
Anna Halldorsdottir releases her third solo album, “Here,” at The Delancey in NY City this Friday, June 25th, 8:30pm.
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ICELAND COMES TO NORTH DAKOTA: CONTEMPORARY ART EXHIBITION.
Ambassador Hjálmar W. Hannesson´s speech at the opening on 22 June:
Nordic Jazz 2010
On the Roof-Top at the House of Sweden June 17, our Ambassador Hjálmar W. Hannesson opened the celebration with a speech.
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'Iceland Inspires' Offers Music to the World
Taking place on July 1 at 8pm GMT in Iceland and lasting approximately three hours, and be a mix of live music with some broadcast on a big screen, Iceland Inspires will be a free concert to any lover of the eclectic line-up and will be streamed live around the world on www.inspiredbyiceland.com.
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Embassys of Danmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden Present: Nordic Jazz 2010 June 16-18
Come and celebrate with us June 17 on the Roof Top of House of Sweden 2900 K Street NW. Björn Thoroddsen, Trio Gitar Islancio (from Iceland) Samuel Hällkvist Center (from Sweden)and Eivind Opsvik OVERSEAS (from Norway) will perform
Tickets go quickly, buy them today from: www.ticketweb.com (pre-sale only) No ticket sales at the door
June newsletter (Vol. 2 No. 8) from the Embassy of Iceland in Washington, D.C.
Inspired by Iceland.com
The National Gallery of Iceland
Dynamic consular duo of Iceland in Chicago
Iceland Express flies to and from Newark
Iceland travel guide
Minister's speech to Althing
Interview with Ambassador Hjálmar W. Hannesson
Flights back to normal! >>>
The National Gallery of Iceland
Dynamic consular duo of Iceland in Chicago
Iceland Express flies to and from Newark
Iceland travel guide
Minister's speech to Althing
Interview with Ambassador Hjálmar W. Hannesson
Flights back to normal! >>>
REYKJAVÍK ARTS FESTIVAL May12 - June 5, 2010
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Reykjavik Art Festival.
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ON THE ROOF TOP JUNE 17.
Icelandic Trio Gitar Islancio will perform on the roof top of the house of Sweden 2900 K. Street N.W. on Iceland´s National Day, 17 June.
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The Embassy Series Proudly Present
At the Residence of the Icelandic Ambassador May 22, 2010 at 7:30PM
2443 Kalorama Road, NW
Icelandic sculptor Steinunn Thorarinsdóttir.
Has captivated an international audience. Her cast iron and aluminum sculptures transcend
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Travellers in Iceland are safe and sound
The Icelandic Tourist Board held a meeting at noon today, 16 April 2010, whereupon it was decided to issue a press release stressing that day-to-day life in Iceland is just as usual, even though the volcanic eruption in Eyjafjallajökull glacier on the south coast of Iceland has made a profound impact and generated dangers in a specified area. In other parts of the country, Icelanders’ daily life is proceeding quite normally.
Even though the eruption in Eyjafjallajökull is relatively small, airborne volcanic ash has dispersed over a wide area and disrupted air travel in Europe. It is the joint task of the aviation and tourism authorities in Europe to find ways to transport travellers to their destinations with absolute safety.
It is the task of Iceland’s Civil Protection Department to ensure that the utmost safety measures are followed in Iceland, and to provide a constant flow of information to all parties that need it. Euro Control and the Volcanic Ash Center take decisions on air travel authorisations in Europe.
Even if the eruption is prolonged – and its duration is impossible to predict – it is considered likely that volcanic ash formation will taper off once the preconditions for the mixture of water and embers no longer exist.
The Icelandic Tourist Board wishes to forewarn the public of exaggerated news reports on the eruption but encourages travellers to keep abreast of developments.
Travellers currently in Iceland are safe and well-treated, and the appropriate parties are making every effort to make their stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible.
Volcanic Eruption in South Iceland - Key Information
16.4.2010
The volcanic eruption in the glacier Eyjafjallajokull
in South Iceland is continuing but Icelandic civil
protection authorities have the situation as regards
public response fully under control. The affected
areas have been evacuated and damage has
been limited to roads, bridges and other
infrastructure that has been destroyed by
flooding. Further damage to agricultural land is evident.
Day to day business in Iceland apart from the
directly affected areas in the south has not been
affected. The ash hurled into the atmosphere by
the eruption has however caused serious disruption
of air traffic. Icelandic scientists and public authorities,
the Meterological Institution (http://en.vedur.is/) and
the Icelandic Civil Aviation Administration (www.isavia.is),
remain in close contact with their counterparts in
Europe in order to monitor the eruption, the weather
conditions and the projected path of the volcanic
ash cloud.
Travelling in Iceland – safety first
Foreign visitors in Iceland that have had their
flights cancelled are advised to contact their
travel agents. Visitors coming to Iceland are
encouraged to monitor the news and learn about
their rights if the flight is cancelled.
Travelers are also urged to take all necessary
general precautions while travelling in Iceland and
seek the advise of local authorities.
Air traffic
Ash fall from the volcanic eruption in Eyjafjallajökull
has affected air traffic in North Europe the last
few days and therefore traveling to and from Iceland.
People are encouraged to monitor the news and
learn about their rights if the flight is canceled.
Passengers flying to and from Iceland are
advised to follow updated travel information on
http://www.kefairport.is/English/.
? Information from Icelandair
? Information from Iceland Express
? Information from SAS
? Information from the Icelandic Civil
Aviation Administration
Situation report from the Civil Emergency Authorities
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April newsletter (Vol. 2 No. 6) from the Embassy of Iceland in Washington, D.C.
Please find the newsletter attached in a pdf format.
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Information for travelers
15.4.2010
Flying through an area, or near to volcanic ash is prohibited for safety reasons. Therefore air traffic control services have closed European airspace and as a result Icelandair flights to and from Scandinavian and UK airports will be disrupted.
Travellers looking for information on their flights to Europe are directed to contact their respected Airlines.
For information on Icelandair flights click here or call 1 800 223 5500
15.4.2010 : Volcanic eruption in Southern Iceland
News from the Ministry:
Update on the volcanic eruption in Southern Iceland:
On the net: www.mfa.is
and on the link for the Civil Protection Department in Iceland
see:www.almannavarnir.is Passengers flying to or from Iceland are advised to follow updated travel information on: www.kefairport.is/English/ - for newscoverage in English see: www.icelandreview.com/daily_news/ - information can also be found on www.en.vedur.is (Icelandic Met Office) and www2.norvol.hi.is - (Nordic Volcanological Center).
Extra Edition, March newsletter (Vol. 2 No. 5) from the Embassy of Iceland in Washington, D.C.
Please find the newsletter attached in a pdf format.
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Situation report on the volcanic eruption in Southern Iceland
Travelling restrictions remain in the area around where a volcanic eruption begun in Southern Iceland late Saturday night. Traffic on main roads has been reopened but travellers in the area are advised to exercise caution, follow instructions and not to enter restricted areas, which are marked.
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We are pleased to share with you the opening of Iceland Design e-store
Nature is a constant hotspring for ideas and inspiration; in litterature, art and crafts.
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Iceland native Judith Ingolfsson Violinist
Since winning the 1998 Gold Medal at the prestigious International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, Iceland native Judith Ingolfsson has established herself worldwide as an artist of "remarkable intelligence,
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Reykjavik University opens an international summer school for the first time
Reykjavík University is opening a summer school for the first time. Ten courses will be offered at the graduate level, starting this June. The programme is geared towards international students and all classes will be taught in English.
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March newsletter (Vol. 2 No. 4) from the Embassy of Iceland in Washington, D.C.
A REMARKABLE, BEAUTIFUL, COURAGEOUS AND FIERCELY INDEPENDENT ICELANDIC WOMAN,
The Höfði House,
International Summer School,
The History Book of the Icelandic National League of North America 1919- 2009,
REYKJAVÍK Pure Energy – Calendar 2010,
Plain-Spoken Pictures,
FUTURE OF HOPE Filmed in Full HD,
FILMS IN ICELAND,
Ladies and Gentlemen Presenting: Gerta's Big Ambition,
Nordic Green II in Silicon Valley,
CA Pictures of Horses
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Extra Edition February newsletter from the Embassy of Iceland in Washington, D.C.
Emigration and immigration: Iceland 2009
Austin Nordic Film Fest
EU to reccommend start of Iceland talks - EU official
Icesave, Iceland and the EU - whose debt is it anyway?
A fence to mend
Norden - the Top of Europe
Arctic Chill (Vetrarborgin) by Arnaldur Indridason
February Newsletter (Vol. 2 No. 2) from the Embassy of Iceland in Washington, D.C.
Bronze for Iceland
The Icelandic national league of North America 2010 convention
A national referendum on the so-called Icesave legislation will be 6 March 2010
Iceland leads Environmental Index as U.S. falls
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A new household name in Iceland,
Now going international ! Maximus Musicus visits the orchestra, A Children´s Concert.
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January Newsletter (Vol. 2 No. 1) from the Embassy of Iceland in Washington, D.C.
Bill Holm remembered (1943-2009)
The annual meeting of the US Icelandic Horse Congress (USIHC)
Olof Arnalds new album
Icelandic Associations celebrate 'Thorrablot' an Icelandic tradition
Icelandic Soprano Bylgja Dis Gunnarsdóttir
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Guest studio for visual artists in Reykjavík Iceland open for applications
SÍM - The Icelandic Association of Visual Artist runs 2 residency apartments situated in 2 different places in Reykjavík. The residencies are applicable for Icelandic and foreign artists and the length of the stay is 1 -3 month. The Apartment / studio is now open for applications for the period July through December 2010.
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Libia Castro og Ólafur Ólafsson sýna fyrir Íslands hönd á Feneyjatvíæringnum 2011
Spænsk-íslenska listamannatvíeykið Libia Castro og Ólafur Ólafsson hefur verið valið til að sýna fyrir Íslands hönd á Feneyjatvíæringnum, La Biennale di Venezia 2011.
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Icelandic Government prepares to submit the Icesave legislation for approval by national referendum and remains fully committed to honor Iceland's obligations with respect to depositor's insur
The Government of Iceland has decided to hold a national referendum on the so-called Icesave legislation, following broad consultations with both coalition and opposition parties as well as employers' associations and labor unions. The referendum is expected to take place late February.
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The Government committed to the Economic Program
The President of Iceland has declined to sign a law authorising a state guarantee for repayment of loans provided by the UK and the Netherlands to the Depositors' and Investors' Guarantee Fund, intended to cover payment of the minimum deposit guarantees to depositors in the UK and Netherlands branches of the failed Landsbanki Íslands hf. Despite the President's decision, the government of Iceland remains fully committed to implementing the bilateral loan agreements and thus the state guarantee provided for by the law.
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December Newsletter (Vol. 1 No. 14) from the Embassy of Iceland in Washington, D.C.
In this newsletter:
- Iceland Hailed as a Best-Value Destination for 2010
- New Honorary Consul of Iceland in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
- Information and Fun
- The EU's newly updated page on Iceland and its EU-relations
- The Embassy's recommendations
Center for Icelandic Art.
Kynningarmiðstöðvar íslenskar myndlistar sem hefur það hlutverk að kynna íslenska myndlist erlendis
Save the Date
HönnunarMars 2010 verður haldinn dagana 18.- 21. mars. Dagskrá HönnunarMarsins verður spennandi og glæsileg en fjöldi viðburða, áhugaverðra fyrirlestra og sýninga munu endurspegla fjölbreytileika íslenskrar hönnunar.
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Iceland´s most popular Crime Writer honored in the US
The Draining Lake, a crime novel by Iceland´s most popular crime writer, Arnaldur Indriðason.
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Leif Eirikson Day is a United States observance occurring on October 9
It honors Leif Erikson, who led the first Europeans believed to have set foot on North American soil.
Creighton University offering a Fellowship to a Icelander.
Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, is offering one Fellowship to an Icelander for a full year Master’s Level study towards a M.A in International Relations.
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Nordic Jazz Week, June 14-17
Sunna Gunnlaugs Quartet performing on Nordic Jazz Week in Washington DC Iceland’s National Day, June 17, will be celebrated in Washington DC with a performance by the Sunna Gunnlaugs Quartet at the House of Sweden Rooftop. The concert is a part of a Nordic Jazz Week in Washington DC, which will be kicked off on Sunday, June 14, with a concert at the Finnish Embassy and then followed by two concerts at the House of Sweden Rooftop on June 16 and 17.
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Iceland landed in 2nd place at the Eurovision song contest 2009.
Iceland landed in 2nd place at the Eurovision song contest in Moscow, Russia, May 16th, 2009.
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Iceland´s Blue Lagoon is featured in the May issue of Better Homes & Gardens
"The Healing Waters"
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Iceland will keep your servers cool
Data Centers in Iceland. Report by Stephen Beard, NPR's Market Place Morning Report. March 27, 2009.
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Icelandic Government Scholarships for the academic year 2009-2010
Scholarships in Icelandic Studies
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Endurviðtökusamningur við Makaó undirritaður.
Gunnar Snorri Gunnarsson sendiherra undirritaði fyrir hönd íslenskra stjórnvalda Endurviðtökusamning við stjórnvöld á sjálfstjórnarsvæðinu Makaó.
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Kosningaréttur íslenskra ríkisborgara búsettir erlendis lengur en 8 ár.
Breyting var samþykkt á Alþingi í gær á lögum um kosningar til Alþingis, nr. 24/2000. Breytingin heimilar íslenskum ríkisborgurum sem búsettir hafa verið erlendis lengur en 8 ár og vilja kjósa í Alþingiskosningunum 2009 að sækja um kosningarétt sinn til Þjóðskrár til 25. mars nk.
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Nordic commitment to green growth
"The Nordic countries have every opportunity to be world leaders in innovative and climate-friendly energy. Investments in environmental technology and the sustainable use of energy resources will also create positive opportunities for growth," the Icelandic Prime Minister, Johanna Sigurdardottir, told a press conference held by the Nordic prime ministers on Thursday.
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Prime ministers unanimous in support of Iceland
The Nordic prime ministers fully support Iceland and are committed to helping the country out of its economic crisis, they told a press conference at the Blue Lagoon after their meeting on Thursday during the two-day Nordic Globalisation Forum.
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Iceland will honor its obligations - Interview with Gylfi Magnusson, Minister for Business Affairs
Gylfi Magnússon, Iceland's Minister for Business Affairs, reiterates in an Interview with the German newspaper, die Welt, that the Icelandic Government will honour its legal obligations abroad; the assets of Kaupthing Edge in Germany will almost certainly be sufficient for paying off depositors.
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Small Nations Poetry Reading at the National Geographic on March 4th, 2009.
A growing Washington tradition now in its fifth year, the Small Nations Poetry Reading brings together the ambassadors of nine countries— Austria, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, and Slovenia.
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Icelandic Designer wins Forum Aid Prize
The Icelandic Designer Katrín Ólína was handed over the Forum Aid Prize earlier this week.
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DARK MUSIC DAYS
During the dark days of the long Icelandic winter, music lovers have taken comfort in the annual contemporary music festival DARK MUSIC DAYS.
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Gourmet Iceland, your gastronomic guide to Iceland
The Icelandic Tourist Board has launched a new website. Gourmet Iceland, your gastronomic guide to Iceland.
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New Icelandic Government formed
A Government of the Social Democratic Alliance and the Left-Green Movement has took office on February 1, 2009. The economic policy of the Government will be based on the programme already established by the authorities and the International Monetary Fund, IMF. The two parties agree on the importance of holding early elections, set for 25 April 2009.
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Iceland and the US sign a Trade and Investment Cooperation Agreement
Össur Skarphéðinsson, acting Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, and Christopher S. Wilson, Assistant US Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East, signed today in Reykjavik an Agreement on Trade and Investment Cooperation between Iceland and the US.
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Icelandic author Solveig Eggerz and Seal Women.
Solveig Eggerz discusses her novel about the migration of German women to Iceland after World War II Thursday, February 5, 7:30 pm Kensington Row Bookshop
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The Snorri Program 2009.
Discover your roosts in Iceland. Deadline for applications is January 12, 2009.
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International Monetary Fund approves Iceland's request for a two year stand-by arrangement
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved Iceland’s request for a two year stand-by arrangement. Iceland will receive USD 2.1 bn. from the IMF. Additional loans of up to USD 3 bn. have been secured from Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Russia and Poland.
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Icelandic Christmas Bazaar, November 15th, 2008.
The Icelandic Association of Washington DC, hosts its Annual Icelandic Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, November 15th from 11 AM – 4 PM.
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Award-winnig author Arnaldur Indriðason
On October 8th, Ambassador Albert Jónsson and Mrs. Ása Baldvinsdóttir held a reception at the ambassador's residence for award-winning author Arnaldur Indriðason
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Iceland takes decisive action with the launch of an economic stabilisation plan in conjunction with the IMF
See news from the Prime Minister's Office.
Few basic facts on the Global Liquidity Crisis and the Economic Turmoil in Iceland.
See attached pdf file.
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The Snorri Sturluson Fellowships.
Annually The Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies invites applications for the Snorri Sturluson Icelandic Fellowships.
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Olympic Silver for the Icelandic men's handball team.
The Icelandic men’s handball team lost 28-23 against France in the final at the Beijing Olympics on Sunday morning. But Iceland still celebrates coming in second and taking home the silver in handball for the very first time.
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