Akureyri Heart-Shaped Traffic Lights

Icelandic winters can be harsh. With six long months of darkness and crippling storms that close roads and bridges, much of the country becomes inaccessible from October to April. Seasonal depression can afflict the population, prompting many residents to vacation through the winter months.

Financial instability can often make these much-needed breaks impossible, as was the case during the Icelandic financial crash of 2008. Despite the economic uncertainty and hardships of winter, the northern city of Akureyri was determined not to lose spirit, and adopted a unique strategy for beautifying the city and boosting citizens’ morale: installing tiny, glowing hearts inside of all the traffic lights.