Fellow Icelanders.
Iceland’s National Day, the 17th of June, holds a special place in the hearts of Icelanders. On this day, when the sun is close to its zenith and the day at its longest, Icelanders gather throughout the country and in many locations around the world, to recall those victories which a small nation achieved on the road to greater freedom and better lives. On this day the generations, not least children and youth, celebrate together the future of our nation. Read the full story

Every year on 17th June Iceland celebrates its 1944 independence from Denmark. This year is the country’s 65th year of full independence.

The day begins with speeches and parades and continues with family fun, live music, street performers and a long list of activities.

The younger generations consider last night, the 16th, as among the year’s biggest party nights – but it’s back to work tomorrow and Friday.

Wherever you are in the world, Happy Independence Day from Iceland!

Tommy Maro, the Culture Minister of Greenland, has proposed a bill to parliament outlining a new policy for the use of language in Greenland. The goal of the new legislation is to facilitate broader language skills in the country, according to the newspaper Sermitsiaq. Read the full story

Last November marked an historic day in Greenland’s history, when its residents voted overwhelmingly for greater autonomy from Denmark. While the Danish government is willing to concede most aspects of daily governance to Greenland, the world’s largest island is still stuck with Denmark’s rigid immigration laws.

Greenland’s government does not feel that the strict Danish immigration laws are practical for their nation. In his New Year’s speech, Prime Minister Hans Enoksen stated that one of his government’s main priorities is to take over full responsibility for foreigners in Greenland and immigration policies. The main reason for this impetus is a shortage of labour in Greenland. Read the full story

The Faroese parliament yesterday passed the proposed DKK 300 million (USD 56 million, EUR 40 million) loan to Iceland that was offered in principal at the end of October. Read the full story

In an strong show of support for the referendum on self-rule last week, Greenlanders voted three-to-one in favour of beginning the process of severing its historic ties with Denmark and striking out on its own. Around 72 per cent of the island’s eligible voters took part, a surprisingly high turnout for the world’s largest island. Read the full story

Today is Icelandic Independence Day, a day off work and school, a day of partying in the streets and a day for unashamed flag waving.

Iceland declared independence from Denmark on 17th June 1944, while Iceland was occupied by Allied forces, and Denmark by the Nazis.

The nation had overwhelmingly voted for independence, and the date 17th June was chosen for the official declaration as it is the birthday of Jon Sigurdsson, a key figure of the 19th century independence movement.

The day begins with parades of brass bands, flag-bearing boy scouts and girl guides and police in dress uniforms. In Reykjavik, the prime minister gives a speech in Parliament Square, which is broadcast to the nation.

The speeches are followed by a poem from the “Lady of the Mountains” (a young woman portraying the female incarnation of Iceland), dressed in the most splendid national costume. The ceremony ends with the choir singing the national anthem.

The rest of the day is an informal celebration, consisting of any or all of the following: open-air music, shopping, beer, candy, street theatre and fairground rides, among others. Unfortunately the day’s celebrations are not rounded off with a spectacular fireworks display, as in the month of June it does not get dark in Iceland.

The fireworks will come on Culture Night in August – but in the meantime, Happy Independence Day, wherever you are!

The President of Finland Tarja Halonen officially signed a document recognising the independence of Kosovo from Serbia on Friday last week.

Iceland has also said that it recognises the declaration of independence of the former Serbian province.

Although the majority of nations have now voiced their support for Kosovo, others have rejected the proclamation of independence, inducing Serbia, Spain Russia, Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania.

Javier Solana, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, has urged Russia to reconsider the case of Kosovo, saying that it is an isolated case.

Russia has not recognised Kosovo due to the problems of separatist states within its own borders. Last week the Georgian region of Abkhazia put an application before the United Nations, Russia and the European Union, asking to be recognised as an independent state.

On Saturday hundreds of people took to the streets of Sweden to protest at the country’s pro-Kosovo stance, reported the Associated Press.

Three of Sweden’s largest cities held peaceful rallies in an attempt to persuade the government not to support Kosovo’s recent declaration of independence.

The Serbian Youth Organization in Sweden was the main group behind the demonstrations, which took place in Stockholm, Goteborg and Malmo. The event began at 12.44 local time, echoing UN Resolution 1244 recognising the sovereignty of Serbia.

In Stockholm, police estimated that there were around 600 demonstrators. Among them were many Serbians as well as Swedish, Greek and Cypriot protesters. An estimated 600 people also took to the streets of Goteborg despite the rain, whilst around 500 rallied in Malmo.

Since Kosovo’s declaration of independence on February 17th, 22 nations have officially recognised Kosovo as a nation. Sweden has not yet officially declared its support though it is expected to do so following a meeting of the parliamentary committee this week.

Serbia has publicly rejected Kosovo’s claim to independence, considering that the territory is part of its sacred heartland.

One protestor, a 32-year-old second-generation Serb living in Sweden, said “Kosovo is the cultural and historic cradle for Serbia.”

“The way things are right now — one side has won everything, while the other has been totally degraded,” he said. “There has to be a solution that both parties can sign.”