2. The Icelandic Language
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Icelanders are immensely proud of their language. Meticulously preserved for centuries, the ancient tongue can still be read by most locals in the sagas, scriptures and poems of the Settlement Age and beyond.
Writing in his mother tongue, novelist Halldór Laxness even secured the Nobel prize in literature in 1955. In modern Iceland, it is often said that one in every ten Icelanders is a published author. This nation is utterly obsessed with books and literature.
3. Human Rights in Iceland
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Icelanders take great pride in progressing human rights and values. The nation ranks among the best in the world for gender equality, freedom of expression, gay rights, and democratic governance.
With a guarantee of religious freedom, no state violence, and laws forbidding discrimination based on race, gender, disability or other factors, Iceland is by many standards considered a world leader when it comes to the rights enjoyed by its people. In recent years, equal-pay certification for employers and strong protections for LGBTQIA+ people have reinforced that reputation.
Of course, no place is perfect, and the country is far from being a utopia, but with such an impressive record, Icelanders are very proud of how far they’ve come, and hope for the rest of the world to follow.
4. The Fishermen of Iceland
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Icelanders are very proud of their Coast Guard, and of having prevailed in the historic fishing disputes known as the Cod Wars. Those confrontations expanded Iceland’s control of fishing grounds and helped safeguard a sustainable future for coastal communities.
Furthermore, fishing has always been crucial to the survival of the people. As the country’s oldest trade, fishing is and always has been tremendously important, meaning the fishermen are well respected.
Every year, on the first Sunday of June, a national ‘seamen celebration day’ known as Sjómannadagurinn is held throughout the country, showing the nation’s gratitude for these brave men and women.
5. The Icelandic Medal Winners
Icelanders love their athletes, especially when they win. When Vala Flosadóttir secured a shiny bronze necklace at the 2000 Summer Olympics, she instantly became the epitome of the entire nation’s health and excellence.
And when the Icelandic men’s handball team won the silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, there was no going back. The team was instantly labelled as “our boys” by the local press and were greeted as heroes when they returned home.
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In football, the national men’s team shocked the world by defeating England at UEFA Euro 2016 and then qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, drawing with Argentina in their opening match. The women’s national team continues to reach major tournaments and inspire the next generation across the country.
6. The Strong Men of Iceland
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Icelandic men like to think of themselves as a collective of strong and sturdy Vikings. If every man in Iceland feels a bit tough for just being an Icelander, it is thanks in no small part to legends like Jón Páll Sigmarsson and Magnús Ver Magnússon, both four‑time World’s Strongest Man champions, followed by more recent stars such as Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, who won the title in 2018 and set deadlift world records.
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Icelanders come from a long line of hardworking men and women who survived incredibly harsh conditions for centuries. While today people have it easier when it comes to daily struggles, fitness is still held in high regard by the nation as a whole.
7. The Beautiful Women of Iceland
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Iceland has also birthed four Miss World winners, Guðrún Bjarnadóttir (1963), Hólmfríður Karlsdóttir (1985), Linda Pétursdóttir (1988) and Unnur Birna (2005), which, if we are to trust in beauty competitions, naturally means Iceland must possess the most beautiful women in the world.
Many visitors to Iceland really do proclaim that both the men and women of this country are, on average, ridiculously good‑looking. The explosion of Instagram followers for footballer Rúrik Gíslason after his first appearance at the 2018 World Cup certainly didn’t hurt that reputation. Be it the cleanness of the air and water, the quality of living or merely the DNA pool, who’s to say… but we like to think it’s true!
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8. The Music of Iceland
Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Langanjart. No edits made.
Again, given how incredibly few people actually inhabit Iceland, it is nothing less than astonishing how many successful trail‑blazing musicians the country has produced.
Be it the elvish melodies of Sigur Rós, the hypnotising beats of Gusgus, or the indie charms of Of Monsters and Men, Icelanders continue to amaze the world with their incredible talents. Our ultimate national treasure is Björk, known at home since her teens as punk queen of the Sugarcubes and internationally acclaimed as a creative force since the 1990s. In recent years, a new generation has stepped onto the world stage too, from festival‑packing rock bands to Grammy‑winning jazz‑pop vocals.
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Furthermore, visitors to Iceland often notice that everyone they meet is either a solo musician, a DJ, or a member of a band. Maybe it’s the isolation, or perhaps the inspiration from nature, creativity isn’t lacking in the land of ice and fire.
9. Knowledge in Iceland
Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by James Mason-Hudson. No edits made.
The Icelandic educational system has been central to Iceland’s survival and progress for decades. Literacy is near‑universal, libraries are well loved, and lifelong learning is part of daily life.
At the University of Iceland, students pay an annual registration fee (ISK 75,000, about 540 USD) rather than traditional tuition at public institutions, keeping higher education widely accessible. With higher education available to all, Iceland offers a shining example of things done right.
10. The Inspiration of Iceland
When it comes down to it, the Icelandic nation is creative and funky, serving as an inspiration to musicians, film‑makers and artists from all over the world.
Whether it is due to all the magnificent shooting locations in the Icelandic nature, the array of acclaimed music festivals, or the string of talented locals, thousands of creatives flock here each year to get a piece of the action.
As a country that is both widely unspoilt, and yet boasting a high comfort of living, there might be no better place to feel both isolated and embraced. The capital city of Reykjavik provides the modern culture, while the rural villages and uninhabited central Highlands offer an escape from it all.
Immerse yourself in the local music scene at Iceland Airwaves, and enjoy the artistic culture at the Reykjavík Fringe Festival. Up in East Iceland, the creative spirit lives on around Seydisfjordur, home to the LungA School and the legacy of the beloved LungA Art Festival.
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Icelanders, in general, embrace the fact that their country is so sought after as a destination, be it for art, education or travel. The only thing left for you to do is to join the party and judge for yourself.