How to live Icelandic – learn all about Icelandic culture

My readers are curious about Icelandic culture. So that is why I was intrigued about a new book titled “How to Live Icelandic” by Nína Björk Jónsdóttir and Edda Magnus. The book features photographs by Gunnar Freyr. I am also happy to report that the book includes my picture of Icelandic singer Páll Óskar and his awesome swan Gay Pride float.

Inspired by Iceland

The book aims to give ‘inspiration and insight into this progressive and peaceful nation with freedom, community, and equality at its core.’ Other books in the series include How To Live Japanese, How To Live Korean and How to Live North.

Hey Nína Björk and Edda, thank you for taking the time for this interview. Can you give a little bit of background information about yourselves?

Yes indeed! We are childhood friends and have followed quite a similar path in life. First, we met at Hlíðaskóli school at around nine years old. At this time, we had both moved to a new neighborhood, jokingly nick-named Between life and death. The area is between the cemetery and the hospital in Fossvogur.

Attached since childhood

Attached at the hip through childhood, we did a lot of writing and acting together. We worked on the national radio as presenters on the children’s program Barnaútvarpið. We both spent a lot of time studying and working in various countries. Edda has lived abroad since her twenties. She lives in Geneva with her husband. Nína has lived in seven countries for around a decade and has also been a tour guide for French tourists in Iceland. Nína has previously published Íslandsdætur (Daughters of Iceland), a book for children and young adults about  strong women and female trailblazers in Icelandic history. It will be translated into English later this year. Edda works as a global health expert in Geneva, and Nína is a diplomat in the Icelandic Foreign Service.

What inspired you to write How to Live Icelandic?

We have lived for extended periods abroad and are used to explaining different aspects of Icelandic culture, the essence of the Icelanders, to foreign friends, family, and colleagues. We have also seen  Iceland through the eyes of foreign guests. Therefore, we felt we had something to contribute when it comes to explaining what is special and unique about Iceland. We don’t always realize that some of these aspects are unique and something we can be highly thankful for.

Kid-friendly Iceland

Having lived with kids in different cities abroad and then returning to Iceland, you realize the benefits of Icelandic childhood freedom. In Iceland, kids organize their own social lives, go around the neighborhood on their bikes, walk to school independently, and are not always under adult supervision. Enjoying this freedom gives children a lot of independence and a free mind.

What are, in your opinion, the most prominent features of Icelandic culture?

“Þetta reddast,” our stoic acceptance of not always being in control, accompanied by the firm belief that things will somehow sort themselves out in the end, probably is the single best feature that sums up the Icelandic take on life. The phrase means ‘It will be all right in the end,’ and you’ll hear it said all the time. As a result of living on a volcanic island, Icelanders are very flexible and optimistic by nature. We are used to changing our plans due to the weather changing constantly, so we rush outside to finish painting the fence when the weather’s good, and if there is too much snow blocking the road, we don’t fret about it much. We wait until the road is clear again.

The creative side of Icelanders is key to how to live Icelandic

We also know that humans are tiny compared to the gigantic forces of nature. This insight has given us the great gift of not taking ourselves too seriously. We are not afraid of trying new things, learning a new skill, or changing our careers halfway through adult life. Perhaps this explains the vast amount of creative work from Iceland. Some say 1 in every 10 Icelanders will in their lives publish a book, for instance. We need everyone to use their talents to the full, so it is not unusual for people to have multiple jobs.

Close-knit society

Another important feature is how close-knit Icelandic society is. People stick together through thick and thin. We all join in to celebrate when an Icelander is doing well. When something difficult happens, our heart goes out to those in need, and we all chip in to help.

Your book is about how to live Icelandic. Can you summarize what that means for you?

The book is, of course, about life in Iceland as we see it. Iceland through our eyes. There is something very unique about Iceland. Even the light is different; there is so much energy in the air, the possibilities seem endless. In the book, we try to bring to life some of the unique experiences we associate with living in Iceland. Such as stepping into a hotpot in cold weather. You feel goosebumps all over your body. Or what it is like to step out of a nightclub into the bright summer night.

How to live Icelandic is a love letter to Iceland

The book is in many ways a love letter to our country, its unpredictable nature, the incredible vastness and spectacular landscapes, the feeling of belonging. People might think from the name that the book is a guide to make one’s life more Icelandic, but it’s much rather a detailed exploration of life in Iceland and the essence of the Icelandic spirit. We explain life in Reykjavík, life in the villages around the coast and the Icelandic countryside, and give information about respecting the spectacular yet fragile nature of the highlands.

Not a typical guidebook

We talk about the pastimes of the Icelanders, the Icelandic language, the importance of environmental sustainability, gender equality, our culinary traditions. Celebrations and life’s milestones are also covered, everything from birth to death! This book is not a typical guidebook. However, the book will help to understand more about life in Iceland and what makes us Icelanders tick. In short, it is an insight into Icelandic life.

What Icelandic restaurants or activities would you recommend to people visiting the country?

The Icelandic swimming pools all over the country are a must! It is the perfect way to meet the Icelanders. Going swimming is the ideal thing to do in every type of weather – good or bad!

We recommend that people try the multiple fish restaurants in Iceland. Icelandic lamb is also a true delicacy.

Some of our favorite restaurants include Austur-Indíafélagið, Fiskmarkaðurinn, Sushi Social and then everyone should try the world’s best hotdogs at Bæjarins Beztu.

What advice would you give to those visiting Iceland for the first time?

Bring a swimsuit! Visit villages or places off the beaten track. Not only go on a bus tour of the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon. We recommend taking lots of time to explore. Visit the Icelandic highlands (sometimes you need specially equipped vehicles) to witness their immense beauty. Hiking is a great way to explore Icelandic nature.

Read Icelandic books

Prepare the trip by getting to know the work of Icelandic artists. Read some Icelandic books before your trip, watch some Icelandic films and TV series, and listen to Icelandic music. We could recommend several authors such as Jón Kalman Stefánsson, Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir, Gerður Kristný, Hallgrímur Helgason and of course our Nobel laureate Halldór Laxness. If crime books are more your thing, look out for Arnaldur Indriðason, Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, Ragnar Jónasson, Lilja Sigurðardóttir and more.

Recommended Icelandic films

We recommend movies such as Of horses and men, Rams, Woman at war, And Breath Normally, Lamb, and many more.

A few recommended Icelandic musicians

With regards to music there is of course Björk, Of Monsters and men, Kaleo, Hildur Guðnadóttir, Jóhann Jóhannsson, Víkingur Heiðar Ólafsson, Svavar Knútur… Also, look up Icelandic design and take time to visit our museums.

Availability of How to Live Icelandic

• How to Live Icelandic is available now in English. You can order it on Amazon
• How to Live Icelandic is also available in Dutch 
• It is being translated into Hungarian, Czech, and Slovakian. More transitions are likely to follow.