It was the former Irish monks that settled along this region but later on Norwegians who settled in the Icelandic territory were responsible for the growth of the occupation and population within the region. It was seen that the traders from the Black Sea and Mediterranean provinces seem to have culturally affected the county. It is observed that the Icelandic culture has quite similarities and relates well with the features of the Scandinavian traditions, especially belonging to the Norway region. The population of Iceland is constituted with descendants from the Nordic and Celtic origin. The nationalities thriving within the area are:
- Polish
- Danish
- Ex-Yugoslavians
- Filipinos and
- Germans
ARTS, CULTURE AND MUSIC OF ICELAND
Art: The local native spends most of their leisure hours; crafting several handicrafts like weaving, Silver crafting, and woodcarving. The Icelandic art seems to have influenced from the European and American adopted modernistic approach. Art can be associated well with the thriving religion, especially with the Roman Catholic Church and next with the Lutheran church. The first painter seems to have originated within the area during the 19th century, who painted the village scenario thriving in Iceland along with its cultural heritage. Painting became so popular within the area that the native civilization was blended with the foreign ideas, to bring along a fusion piece of artwork. The province still retains the age-old traditional work done with Silver threading, which was used as a major source of embellishment.
Culture: The local natives indulge in activities like playing soccer, athletics, basketball, golf, tennis, swimming, chess and horseback riding. The native cusines popular within the region which one must not miss out are Hákarl (decomposed shark), gravlax (salmon fish marinated with spices), hangikjöt (smoked lamb), and slátur (delicacies made from sheep intestines). One may even try out the Brennivin the local liquor formed out of potatoes and caraway. The people excel in the fields of literature, prose and poetry, which is part and parcel of their cultural life. Do visit the West Nordic Culture House, a famous museum that shows the close link between countries like the West Nordic regions, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland. This place displays innumerable works of Viking and Inuit artwork, local paintings, carvings, crafting and other masterpieces.
Music: Icelandic music is closely interlinked with the Nordic breed of music, pulsating the native ethnicity with folk and pop music. Several musical bands emerged in this land that were admired which were Sugarcubes, and Sigur Rós. The songs that emerged here were truly religious in nature. Several Protestant hymns came into existence that was written by Hallgrímur Pétursson during the 17th century. The composition was later on updated into a modern 19th century music, which was accompanied, by several music instruments like the pipe organ and harmonium.
