Introducing….

We are pleased to introduce the team representing Hafnarfjörður in this winter's quiz show, Útsvar. This year, it was decided to ask residents for nominations, and this resulted in two new and exciting individuals joining the team. It was decided to retain one veteran from last year. This year's team is thought to cover a remarkably broad range of interests, drawing on valuable experience and extensive knowledge across a diverse array of fields.  Over the past two years, Karl Guðmundsson, Guðlaug Kristjánsdóttir and Kristbjörn Gunnarsson have represented the town, taking Hafnarfjörður to the quarter-finals on both occasions. We thank them for their great ambition and excellent performance in the competition!

Introduction to the contestants and games in Útsvarinu 2016-2017

Thomas Geir Howser Harðarson

Tómas Geir Howser Harðarson is a 22-year-old, born and bred in Hafnarfjörður. He lives with his mum, Delia Howser, in Hafnarfjörður along with 6 Labrador dogs and two cats. His girlfriend, Sólveig Dóra Hafsteinsdóttir, is also from Hafnarfjörður. Tómas has a school-leaving certificate from the Theatre course at Fjölbraut in Garðabær and is currently studying Film Studies at the University of Iceland. Alongside his studies, Tómas works at Klausturbar in Reykjavík's city centre, but has previously worked at Smárabíó, Hvalstöðin and as a security guard. Tómas has just returned from a six-month round-the-world trip, which was the most amazing thing he has ever done, and the knowledge he gained there will undoubtedly come in handy in Útsvar. His main interests are films, theatre and a huge interest in knowledge in general. Tómas Geir has lived in Hafnarfjörður all his life, and is very fond of his town and the unique small-town atmosphere it has.

Sólveig Ólafsdóttir

Sólveig Ólafsdóttir saw the light and moved to Hafnarfjörður three years ago. She lives at the top of Setberg with her husband, son and, sometimes, her daughter and son-in-law – and she gets goosebumps every time the sun sets over Sæ and Snæfellsjökull glows in the living-room window.  Sólveig holds a BA in English from the University of Iceland and went on to postgraduate studies at Boston University, where she studied journalism and international politics. She began her journalism career at the Alþýðublaðið newspaper, worked for both Sjónvarpið and Stöð 2 with stints at Tíminn and DV, and most recently presented a programme on international affairs when the television channel Hringbraut launched.  She worked in the information department of EFTA in Brussels, and as an information officer for the International Committee of the Red Cross at the organisation's headquarters in Geneva and throughout Asia and Africa for eight years.  After working in the aftermath of the great tsunami in Sri Lanka and the earthquake in Pakistan in 2005, she turned her hand to a new challenge and returned home, where she took up the post of Communications Manager for the Icelandic Red Cross.  After eight years with the Icelandic Red Cross in Efstaleiti, she moved to Ráðhúsið, where she works in event management and speechwriting for the office of the Mayor of Reykjavík.  Sólveig is the chairperson of the Arnfirðingafélagið, and is building an old summer cottage in her childhood home of Selárdal with her sister and family. She is a country girl at heart and enjoys relaxing at her in-laws' summer house in Þjórsárdal.  She began her career in belly dancing in Harare, Zimbabwe, where she performed in various nightclubs and events, but for the past few years has been content to dance at the Kramhúsið with a good group of women.

Guðlaug Kristjánsdóttir

Guðlaug Kristjánsdóttir is a true Hafnarfjörður local and lives in the town centre with her three sons, a cat and two hens. She studied physiotherapy at the University of Iceland and worked as one for around 10 years. Before that, she studied Spanish at the same university and also took exams from the Icelandic School of Guides in Spanish and Swedish. She trained in ballet, attended music school for many years and played the clarinet, but now sings in a choir. She was active in the Physiotherapists' Association and was chairperson of BHM, the umbrella organisation for university-educated professionals in the labour market, from 2008-14. She was involved in the founding of Bright Future, both nationally and in Hafnarfjörður, and is currently the Mayor of Hafnarfjörður and Chair of the town's Family Council. She also works part-time as a Project Manager for Clinical Teaching on the Physiotherapy programme at the University of Iceland. Her hobbies include gardening, the outdoors and all kinds of exercise, which she rarely gets around to doing. Guðlaug is an avid reader and crafter, and invariably has several projects of both kinds on the go at once, from books to knitting, reading and crochet.

The quiz show Útsvarið starts on RÚV this September. Let's be sure to follow and cheer on our people!