By Rae Wiltshire
Eyþór Jóvinsson, an Icelandic filmmaker I met in Pennsylvania shared some fascinating insights about his country. He said that in Iceland, one in every seven people has written a book, reflecting the nation’s deep literary culture. Further, with a population of about 400,000, Iceland has around 2,000 filmmakers. According to Jóvinsson, when Hollywood producers go to Iceland, they don’t take their own crews. The local population is so well-educated and skilled that there is no need to import large teams, saving production companies significant amounts of money.
Apart from Iceland’s breathtaking landscapes, this abundance of local talent is a key reason why many Hollywood films and TV shows are shot there. Jóvinsson also emphasised that Iceland has one of the highest literacy rates in the world. The country’s deep appreciation for its culture is reflected in its music, literature, and films. In fact, it is this love for culture and traditions that sustains the thriving arts scene. Gifting books is a cherished tradition in Iceland, further highlighting their literary passion. Jóvinsson owns a bookshop which has been in his family for over 100 years. He said the bookshop is very popular and sells mainly Icelandic literature.
