Iceland: REYKJAVIK - HARPA

The poster I believed to be  expressing something about the Iceland's Olympic Team translated into a different kind of advertisement:

"Come to see our theatre show ......OK?" Something like that. 

It was about culture, not sports!  Long live Google Translate!

And when we turned 90 degrees to the right we could see Culture there - a modern building of an enormous size - perhaps hosting a different set of shows than the one advertised above. perhaps not. This one serves mainly as a concert hall and home to the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra. Its name is fitting.

HARPA.

It was built recently and it is a truly something to see. In 2013 it got a EU award for the best contemporary architectural structure in Europe. 
The concert hall was supposed to be a part of a much larger project called the World Trade Centre of Reykjavik. But as we still remember, in 2008 Iceland hit its economic crisis, its banks went under and the country had to be bailed out by others. While the rest of the project got scrapped, the already half-built concert hall stood abandoned for a while. Then the Icelandic government and the city of Reykjavik decided that at least this part of the initial project be finished, they formed an alliance and the concert hall opened in the Spring of 2011. 

It is a very large structure made of steel and glass all shaped into hexagonal "crystals" that capture the light. We had a feeling that there was not a single right angle there and the overall design reminded us - again - of the volcanic basalt columns and structures of the Icelandic nature.

One can view the old town, the Hallgrimur church and the harbour from the second level. 

An interesting blend of the old and new.

It is coffee time - we can only imagine the four of us walking down in evening wear - the suits and long evening dresses - wondering what happens here during the concert times. Or are we all in mini-skirts now?

I guess that would be for someone else to blog about.

Down in the Cafe we experience one of our most artistic - and expensive - culinary moments savoring the once-in-a-lifetime occasion., making it into a good-bye party for all of us.

If you are wondering: I had a dark-rye sandwich with thinly sliced lamb sausage, semi- raw egg and a garnish of anise greens. 

It was excellent.


But for a really hefty meal we shall wonder to the Old Harbour and its famous Fish&Chips.