She has twice repres ented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest, singing “Never Forget” in 2012 and “Hear Them Calling” in 2016. “Per forming takes up most of my time, and I do a lot of shows both in Iceland and elsewhere. This summer I traveled a lot since I performed mostly abroad. At home, I try to write and compose when I’m not performing.”
Greta Salóme says that her whole life has revolved around music. “I was only four years old when I started playing the violin,” Gréta says.
UNIFY AGAINST BULLYING Unify Against Bullying is an American non-profit organiza tion (unifyagainstbullying.org). Svava Jónsdóttir (the journalist) has been helping it internationally and asked Greta Salóme to send a Unify-picture which means that people put their other hand before their mouth with the word UNIFY written on it. Gréta has also performed at Unify’s fashion show in Massachusetts. “Unify Against Bullying is doing amazing things, and their cause is something I truly believe in to bring an end to bullying through the celebration of true diversity.”
LAUGARVATN Gréta Salóme says her favorite part of Iceland is Laugar vatn, Geysir and the surrounding area; basically the Golden Circle. “My parents have had a cabin at Laugarvatn all my life and last year I bought a cabin right next to them, so it makes me appreciate the place even more. We also have a cabin right next to Geysir and even though I’m renting out both of the cabins, I try to go there whenever I get the chance. It always feels like stepping into a fairytale be cause the landscape is just amazing.” Yes, sometimes it’s like being a part of a fairytale when traveling in Iceland.
THE TRAVELING INQUISITION
WORKING AROUND THE WORLD Gréta Salóme Stefánsdóttir is an Icelandic songwriter, singer and violinist who twice represented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest. She performs in various countries and in May, for example, she performed at the fashion show of Unify Against Bullying in Massachusetts. Actually, she’s one of Unify’s spokesperson By Svava Jónsdóttir Photos: Courtesy of Gréta Salóme
130
WOW Power to the people
FLORIDA AND THAILAND Gréta’s two favorite places abroad are Florida and Thailand. “I’m obviously a fan of the heat which is one of my priorities when I go on a vacation. I went to college in Florida and I’ve also done a lot of shows with Disney, so I’ve spent a lot of time in the sunshine state. It is kind of my home away from home. This year I went to Thailand for the first time and fell in love with the country and its culture. I spent almost a month at the Tiger Muay Thai training camp in Phuket. I’m already preparing for my next trip there. I can’t wait.”