We have had numerous big acts playing here in Iceland the last couple of years, however with the global financial crisis then we thought it was over. Well, fear not, we are back in business, the british rock legends from Jethro Tull are to give a concert here in Reykjavík on the 11th of September, later this year.
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Me, myself and ISo, How patriotic is Iceland?- We hear you say. More so and less so. Compared to the “I heart NY” attitude of the US, Iceland has a much purer sense of what it is to have national pride without making it seem like a corporation. It’s tourism industry is a clear example of this; most of the beautiful things about Iceland are the things which you are still allowed to touch, waterfalls which haven’t been roped off due to danger, poetry which still feels like it was written by a person and tour guides who don’t read off scripts (okay sometimes they do, but it helps them remember all the amazing stuff we have.) Even us, Planet Iceland promise to never betray the Iceland we know and love for gold and riches. Ahh… gold and riches….
Now, this isn’t to say that we don’t capitalize on what we have. You may see the stuff of the “Mickey Mouse” side of our tourism industry here and there- plastic Viking hats, bottled ‘fresh Icelandic air’ and stuffed toy puffins, but most of this comes along with great museums and experiences designed to help educate and entertain everyone who comes to visit our shores.
Most of it, despite its obvious gearing towards those with extra money to spend is crafted with a good sense of humor and with a certain amount of taste. Even the ‘natural oasis’ of the blue lagoon is kept as what it is- a swimming hole, akin to the spas of Israel’s dead sea.
Planet Iceland, would like to point out that we are not in love with ourselves- we kid from time to time, but in general, we try to be much like the country is- geared towards our individuality and proud of all the beauty we have to offer. As far as we are concerned, the more people who know how amazing we are the better.
Ok, so maybe we are a little self obsessed.... but you love it really.
