The coastal town of Djúpivogur in east Iceland has gained ‘gradual city’ status. Lucy Siegle paces herself to feel its calming benefitsThe paradox of the “gradual movement” is that it’s positively dynamic these days. Its philosophy,which encompasses everything from gradual travel to gradual food and now gradual television (in Norway you can watch genuine-time knitting), was born out of anger in the 1980s when Italian Carlo Petrini objected to McDonalds opening on the Spanish Steps in Rome. The movement’s aim – as outlined in Carl Honoré’s 2004 book In Praise of gradual – is to encourage people to still down the pace of life.
So what does that mean when applied to a town? The coastal town of Djúpivogur, or in east Iceland,has just been granted international Cittaslow (gradual Town) status, and is making a tranquil bid for some international love by offering to exhibit visitors Iceland in gradual motion.
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Source: theguardian.com