These photos are from a Jewish Renaissance visit to Iceland in January 2026. There is a small Jewish community in Reykjavik descended in part from wartime émigrés, some of whom who were influential in the development of Iceland’s classical music. Despite the then prime minister Hermann wanting to keep the Iceland ‘a pure Nordic country, free of Jews’, they dramatically changed the country’s musical traditions, introducing European classics, building orchestras and choirs. There were fascinating lectures on Iceland’s Jewish history and a meeting with the author Sjón (Sigurjón Birgir Sigurðsson) whose 2018 novel CoDex 1962, explores the story of a Jewish refugee from a Nazi concentration camp who settles in Iceland, knitting together folklore, biography and magical realism.
The photos here focus more on the scenic experience, especially from the Golden Circle in Thingveillir Natonal Park. This is a place of incredible geology and spectatular scenery. BTW we did go on a boat to see the Northern Lights but a combination of rough sea and strong wind meant it wasn’t possible to get good photos -:)
Reykjavik HarbourReykjavik streetReykjavik watersideArt Museum main entranceConcert Hall modernist in glass. Built 2007-11 Designed by Hening LarsenIcelandic coastguard (Iceland’s only military force)Harpa Concert HallReflections outside Harpa Concert HallFoyer Harpa Concert HallHarpa Concert Hall looking out to the harbourSunrise in the Golden CircleSunrise in Thingvellir National Park (I particularly like the moon still visible)Meeting of Eurasian and American Tectonic PlatesGorge Between the PlatesSunrise Thingvellir National ParkFrozen Landscape. Golden CircleFrozen Rivers. ThingvellirFrozen Lake. ThingvellirMountains and iceIcescape with cloudsWalking between the PlatesGeysirs in Haukadalur ValleyGeysir in sunlightGeysir Chimneys against colourful skyGeysir Chimney in Soft LightGeysir Steam in Gentle LightGeysir Steam against MountainsWatching the Geysirs. Geysir Chimney ObservedGeysir Iceland in MonochromeLight and shadeBlizard on the glacierBlizard on the Glacier – venturing outMountain Top in the Sun with CloudsGullfoss Waterfall IcelandGullfoss Waterfall and CloudsIce path. GullfossFrozen Waterfall. Blue and WhiteSpray from Gullfoss WaterfallSpray from the Gullfoss Waterfall at SunsetDramatic view of GullfossGullfoss Colours at SunsetBlue Lagoon hot springs. The air temperature was -6C but the water was very hot and you get used to the contrasting temperatures.Hofdi House, Reykjavik. Famous for hosting the summit meeting between President Reagan and General Secretary Gorbachev in October 1986. This was the beginning of the end of the Cold War. Sadly 40 years further on the peace of Europe has been shattered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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