November 13, 2009 - January 02, 2010 “Volcano Lovers – from Iceland and Japan” is a collaborative exhibition of Icelandic curator Birta Guðjónsdóttir and Japanese curator Shinya Watanabe. Located at the far western and eastern extremities of Eurasia, both countries are greatly influenced by having volcanoes as a prominent part of their natural terrain. Quoting the title of Susan Sontag's novel "The Volcano Lover", this exhibition aspires to capture the energy and emotions that lie under the surface of minimalist expressions for these two very different nations yet with shared and similar backgrounds. These works subtly explore sensory experience, relativity, and the complexities of daily rituals.

Featured artists include Hildur Bjarnadóttir, Hreinn Friofinnsson, Guony Rosa Ingimarsdóttir, Haraldur Jonsson, Noriko Ambe, Atsushi Saga, Katsuhiro Saiki, Yuken Teruya.

Opening reception on Nov. 13th, 2009 from 6-8 PM at the Ise Cultural Foundation, 555 Broadway, New York, NY 10012

OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Must be 18 years or older to enter.

By entering this Iceland Naturally sweepstakes online you agree to receive e-mail newsletters from Iceland Naturally and the Iceland Tourist Board. The newsletter offers information on special activities, news, and events occurring in Iceland. Subscription to the newsletter is permission-based. You can unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. No purchase or other consideration necessary to enter. The information obtained through your registration will not be sold or distributed in any way to a third party.

Drawing and Notification: Winner will be selected from all eligible entries in a random drawing. Winners will be notified by e-mail. In the event of noncompliance, an alternate winner will be selected.

The Iceland Naturally Sweepstakes includes:

The Adventure Trip to Iceland prize includes:

Economy class round trip air on Icelandair for two persons from these Icelandair gateways only: New York (JFK); Boston (BOS); Seattle (SEA) to KEF International Airport (Keflavik) in Iceland.

Round trip bus transfer from the airport to hotel in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Two (2) nights accommodations in Reykjavik, Iceland based on double occupancy, with Scandinavian buffet breakfast daily, except on arrival date.

NOT included:

Governmental taxes, airport taxes and other applicable taxes are the responsibility of the prize winners.

Transportation to and from US gateway airport

All other expenses, including but not limited to meals, additional accommodation, travel insurance, incidental expenses, and domestic flights to Icelandair's gateways in North America, tips, transfers, and taxes will be the responsibility of the prize winners. No substitution or transfer of prizes is permitted. Prize is not redeemable for cash or exchange. Winner is responsible for obtaining and paying for visas, shots, passports or other documents if required.

A designated Icelandair contact will be responsible for booking of travel arrangements and selection of vendors. Winner must book with Icelandair Holidays at least 30 days prior to departure. If winner is unable to travel in accordance with Icelandairs specifications, the prize will be forfeited.
 
Travel period must be within one-year from the date of prize letter. Travel not permitted between May 15th and September 5th and December 15th to January 5th. Travel is subject to air seat (s) and hotel availability.

Eligibility: The Icelandic Adventure Sweepstakes is open only to United States and Canadian residents. All contest entrants must be 18 years of age or older to enter and to be eligible to win. Void where prohibited. Employees of Iceland Naturally, Icelandair and the Icelandic Tourist Board and all of their parents, affiliated and subsidiary companies and their advertising and promotional agencies and the immediate family (spouse, parent, sibling and children, regardless of where they live) or members of their same households (whether related or not) of such employees and directors are not eligible.

Eva Ingolf comes from a well-known musical family in Iceland. She began violin studies at a very young age, gaining early recognition for outstanding musical talent, including the beautiful tone and artistic interpretation of her playing. After studying at the Conservatory of Reykjavík for 6 years, Eva left Iceland to study with some of Europe’s finest violin pedagogues. Her playing has been greatly influenced by the spirit of the Russian and East-European violin schools. At the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, she was a student of Prof. Leon-Ara, followed by studies with Prof. Corrado Romano at the Conservatory of Geneva and Prof. Istvan Parkanyi at the Sweelink Conservatory in Amsterdam. During these years she won many awards, as well as scholarships to study with world renowned pedagogues such as Stephan Gheorghiu, Victor Pikaizen, Zachar Bron and Tibor Varga. Throughout her career, Eva has given numerous solo recitals in well-known concert halls in Iceland, Japan, United States and Europe, including the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and the Trinity Church in New York City, and the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. receiving high acclaim from music critics as well as the general public. She has released two CDs and also recorded for the Icelandic State Radio. In 1995-1996, she undertook studies in composition, conducting and orchestration at Harvard University.

General admission tickets are $30; $20 for members of the Icelandic Society of New York; and $15 for seniors (62 and over) and students. For tickets call CarnegieCharge: 212.247.7800, or visit www.carnegiehall.org.

On Wednesday, Oct. 29th, the IMF approved a first review of Iceland's IMF program and the disbursement of $167.5 million.  This event signifies important progress in overcoming the financial difficulties faced over the past year related to the 2008 banking crisis.  

IMF mission chief to Iceland Mark Flanagan was optimistic in his assessment of Iceland's future recovery from international debt:

"While we do see higher debt right now, we also firmly believe that this debt is sustainable. In particular, we have tested it against a variety of macroeconomic shocks, and we believe it will remain on a robust and sustainable downward path," he said.

Read the full story in the Wall Street Journal and Reuters