Trubadour brings countryside life back into focus

Musician Hlynur Snær Theódórsson and his partner, Guðlaug Björk Guðlaugsdóttir, have returned to rural life while running a guesthouse at Fögruhlíð in Fljótshlíð, mbl.is reports.

The couple received an environmental award for the tidiest business at Kjötsúpuhátíð, an annual festival in the municipality of Rangárþing eystra. They took over the guesthouse and farm last year.

Hlynur and Guðlaug had farmed at Voðmúlastaðir in Austur-Landeyjar for 25 years, from 1997 to 2022. They then moved to Hvolsvöllur and pursued other work, while Hlynur increasingly performed with his guitar and voice.

“I was appearing at all kinds of gatherings with guitar playing and singing. I became so fully booked that I had to choose between roles,” Hlynur said.

When Fögruhlíð, the farm and house built and occupied for decades by his paternal grandparents, Guðmundur Guðnason and Sigurlaug Guðjónsdóttir, came up for sale, the couple saw an opportunity to maintain their connection with rural life.

Guðlaug now runs the tourism business full-time, while Hlynur combines it with his music. He said the award from the municipality was especially welcome.

“A tidy environment creates an attraction wherever tourism is operated. It is important to have beautiful surroundings. Fögruhlíð needs to live up to its name,” he said.

Eyjafjallajökull is visible from the guesthouse. The glacier became widely known during the 2010 eruption, when ash carried high into the atmosphere disrupted air traffic in this part of the world.

“This is presumably the one true glacier that burns, as the famous song says,” Hlynur said. He noted that the song’s composer, banker Jón Sigurðsson, came from Tjarnir beneath Eyjafjöll, suggesting that the composer’s home surroundings influenced the lyrics.

Hlynur said “Ég er kominn heim” is a song that most people know and can sing along to, something he considers important as a troubadour. He performs in many places and said the atmosphere is always special when audiences know the songs.

At Kjötsúpuhátíð, Hlynur performed with his daughter, Sæbjörg Eva. He was also an honorary guest when Guðrún Árný led a communal singalong.

His summer schedule has included weddings, community festivals and horse events. Hlynur said the joy of singing at gatherings during the summer remains an important Icelandic cultural tradition.

“Reyndu aftur,” “Lífið er yndislegt,” “Ó, Jósep, Jósep,” “Viltu með mér vaka” and “Þýtur í laufi” are among the songs that everyone can sing, he said.

“Bringing joy is good payment. And afterwards you can go home to your countryside, to unique surroundings and an adventure land. It does not get better than this,” Hlynur said.