Who Runs the World?

Hey there, beloved High Five Club members and prospective members,

It's your friends at the Reykjavík Grapevine (Opens in a new window), popping back into your inbox with a hello and to bring you the latest reads from our mag and news from Iceland.

FROM THE MAG

How did a journalist’s haircut morph into the Grapevine’s April edition being hijacked by a collective of kids? Well, to understand that you have to understand Krakkaveldi, or Kidarchy, a performance project that puts kids in the driver’s seat to do all kinds of wild and amazing things that kids don’t typically get the opportunity to do. Iryna Zubenko spoke with the kids and the grown ups behind Kidarchy for our April feature — read it online now (Opens in a new window).

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like working in a prison, you’re in luck. We sent a 12-year old to speak with prison guard Ari Hjálmarsson about his job and what life is like for the residents. Read Brynja’s dispatch from Hólmsheiði prison (Opens in a new window).

Other weekend reading from the Grapevine

• Þórir Georg is a name that needs no introduction to avid followers of the Icelandic music scene. We asked Þórir to guide us through his latest release, Nokkur Góð, track by track. Give it a read (Opens in a new window).

• How would kids shape government policy? The kids from Kidarchy drafted a manifesto — will you give them your vote? (Opens in a new window)

• An Icelandic kid started what is possibly the cutest business in the world. Check it out (Opens in a new window).

EXTRA! EXTRA! 

• 4.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits West Iceland (Opens in a new window)

• Deig’s Bakery Responds to Criticism Over Increased Prices (Opens in a new window)

• Puffins Return to Grímsey, Bringing Signs of Spring With Them (Opens in a new window)

LISTEN UP

It’s been a heck of a week. Thursday was a holiday marking the first day of summer in the old Norse calendar, so we all had a day off to enjoy the shockingly beautiful weather. But then the nation was slapped back to reality by having to wake with their alarms to go to work or school today. But hey, it’s Friday for real now and there is a whole bunch of new Icelandic music to bop into the weekend with.

Read about (and listen to) the new music streaming at Grapevine HQ in our weekly new music dispatch (Opens in a new window).

Have you listened to the Grapevine’s weekly music podcast yet? It’s got a new name — 66 Degrees of Sound (Opens in a new window) — and a new episode out today. Give it a listen (Opens in a new window)!

That's it from us this week. As always, thanks for your support.

<3 Team Grapevine

If you were a member of our High Five Club, this post would have included an exclusive early access link to view our newest YouTube video content, plus sweet discount codes for the Grapevine store and travel portal. Want that?