A Sweater for Zelensky: ‘Sending Warmth’ and Mundane Militarization in Iceland

ABSTRACT

As an unarmed country, Iceland could not provide military assistance to Ukraine after Russia”s invasion. Public and private support for Ukraine was nonetheless abundant. This intervention explores the contributions made by the Icelandic public to the Ukrainian war effort. This support appeared in the form of knitting, displaying a very gendered logic of care. This started as a individualized effort but was quickly institutionalised and supported by the authorities, which also provided humanitarian, economic, and military support to Ukraine. While the intent of individuals appears to have been to provide personal assistance to those suffering the consequences of war, the act contributes to the militarisation of Icelandic society and the normalisation of war.

KEYWORDS:

• Militarization
• Iceland
• Ukraine
• martial crafts
• knitting
• everyday security

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Silja Bára Ómarsdóttir

Silja Bára Ómarsdóttir is Professor International Affairs at the University of Iceland. Her main research interest is in Icelandic foreign and national security policy, everyday and feminist security.