Cinzia DAmbrosi

Following the economic downturn in Iceland many people found jobless from one day to another. Bing is an IT Consultant working for the Landsbanki in Iceland. Although in maternity leave she found herself with no job to go back.

Thousands of demonstrators take part in a rally in Reykjavik, capital of Iceland, calling on the government to resign for the national financial crisis, Nov. 2008. The government took control of the three largest banks, whilst the Icelandic economy remain in unprecedented instability. The population has lost confidence and trust in the government. Many losing their life savings and jobs. The situation remains even more precarious due to the lack of international aid loans and trade shrinking. A banner on the Parliament wall says "Who has stolen the cookies with the dollar sign?"

Demonstrator outside the Icelandic Parliament.

Thousands of demonstrators take part in a rally in Reykjavik, capital of Iceland, calling on the government to resign for the national financial crisis, Nov. 2008. The government took control of the three largest banks, whilst the Icelandic economy remain in unprecedented instability. The population has lost confidence and trust in the government. Many losing their life savings and jobs. The situation remains even more precariuos due to the lack of international aid loans and trade shrinking.

Icelanders demonstrating against the government. Reykjavik, January 2009

Thousands of demonstrators take part in a rally in Reykjavik, capital of Iceland, calling on the government to resign for the national financial crisis, Nov. 2008. Demonstrators in Parliament Square in Reykjavik.

Following the economic breakdown in Iceland, many shops closed down or moved within Reykjavik in smaller spaces or less central spaces . Many premises are for rent.

Red Cross second hand shop in Reykjavik.

Arion Bank, former Kaupthing bank. Reykjavik, Iceland

Kolaportið, the weekend flea market next to Reykjavik harbour. It is really the alternative to the shopping street trades. Kolaportið is a mix between a car boot sale and a flea market, between people looking to clear their load of storage stuff and those that have serious stalls. Kolaportid has also a fish market where one can buy some Icelandic specialities like Harðfiskur (dried fish), whale meat and rotten shark.

Kolaportið, the weekend flea market next to Reykjavik harbour. It is really the alternative to the shopping street trades. Kolaportið is a mix between a car boot sale and a flea market, between people looking to clear their load of storage stuff and those that have serious stalls. Kolaportid has also a fish market where one can buy some Icelandic specialities like Harðfiskur (dried fish), whale meat and rotten shark.

Today, Ulfarvatn, a suburb of Reykjavik is a ghost area. It was meant to become a fashionable inner city residential heaven with up to 4.000 people to build their homes there. Today they are hardly 200 people living in the area in a surrounding that hardly resemble a town. Most homes in fact are unfinished due to the sudden economic collapse of the country. Services such as medical, schooling, transport are non existent. Magnus and Drifa are among the very few people that managed to move in Ulfarsvatn.

Every Saturday demonstrators from every part ot Iceland would go to the city of Reykjavik in front of the Parliament staging a demonstration and demanding to have their money back.

Hardly visited before the economic crisis hit Iceland, today Godi Hirdirinn, a second hand shop in Reykjavik is a very popular shop. It has queues every day before opening.

"We protest" banner in Babalu Coffee shop in centre town, Reykjavik. The banner epitomise the frustration of the Icelanders towards the government involvement in the banking collapse of the country.

Thousands of demonstrators take part in a rally in Reykjavik, capital of Iceland, calling on the government to resign for the national financial crisis, Nov. 2008. The government took control of the three largest banks, whilst the Icelandic economy remain in unprecedented instability. The population has lost confidence and trust in the government. Many losing their life savings and jobs. The situation remains even more precariuos due to the lack of international aid loans and trade shrinking.

Today, Ulfarvatn, a suburb of Reykjavik is a ghost area. It was meant to become a fashionable inner city residential heaven with up to 4.000 people to build their homes there. Today they are hardly 200 people living in the area in a surrounding that hardly resemble a town. Most homes in fact are unfinished due to the sudden economic collapse of the country. Services such as medical, schooling, transport are non existent. Magnus and his family are among the very few people that managed to move in Ulfarsvatn.

Swimming in the cold sea is an Icelandic custom that was slowly vanishing,however since the economic crisis this custom has revamped. It is in fact believed to be a way to destress and to cope with life obstacles.

Following the economic crisis in Iceland, many Icelanders' homes have remained unfinished. Thus, the birth of suburbs like Ulfarsvatn that resemble a ghost town.

Following the economic crisis in Iceland, many Icelanders' homes have remained unfinished. Thus, the birth of suburbs like Ulfarsvatn that resemble a ghost town.

Following the economic crisis in Iceland, many Icelanders' homes have remained unfinished. Thus, the birth of suburbs like Ulfarsvatn that resemble a ghost town. Signs that offer the houses to let for homes that are not finished yet. The suburb meant to be a very elegant area was meant to house around 4.000 people however only 200 people are living in the area.