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62 A T L A N T I C A
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1 September
The Icelandic Sagas and The Westerns
The alliance between these two genres will be explored at
the Reykjavík Film Festival in order to show new and interest-
ing parallels between the contemporary American culture
and the old Icelandic literary heritage.
2 September
The Reykjavík Jazz Festival
This annual jazz festival marks its tenth anniversary this year.
As before, the programme will be varied, featuring interna-
tional and Icelandic jazz musicians playing at bars and clubs
around the city.
3 September
Wind Festival 2000
The purpose of the Wind Festival 2000 is to highlight artisti-
cally the positive aspects of wind as one of the most signifi-
cant co-authors of Icelandic nature, and its contribution to
Icelandic culture.
10 September
International Literary Festival
International, as well as Icelandic, authors attend this estab-
lished event. Beside writers, publishers, together with trans-
lators, critics and scholars, also launch into a discourse on
the literary condition.
30 September
Icelandic Piano Virtuoso
Icelandic pianists show their talent in a concert at the
Icelandic Opera.
1 October
The 70th Anniversary of Reykjavík College of Music
Celebrating it’s 70th anniversary, the Reykjavík College of
Music hosts a whole day of musical activity. The event culmi-
nates with a concert in Háskólabíó, the University Cinema.
1 October
Icelandic Music at the End of the Century
(1985–2000)
The third, and ultimate, episode of Icelandic Music in the
20th Century includes works by the majority of contemporary
Icelandic composers. Besides chamber music, and choral
and solo concerts, there will also be innovative electronic
and multimedia performances. Events will run through to
November.
14 October
Red
The last in a trilogy of exhibitions, “Red”, focuses on the
tumultuous life of the gifted artist Róska (1940–1996), who
belonged to a group of European artists, anarchists and
bohemians. The exhibition takes place at The Living Art
Museum, and runs until 19 November.
27 October
A Festival of Young Artists
The Festival of Young Artists has been an annual event in
Reykjavík since 1992. The festival consists of ten days in
which young artists get a unique opportunity to express
themselves through dance, music and other art forms.
31 October
Trans Dance Europe
Young European Choreographers from seven of the nine
Cities of Culture illustrate the flourishing development of con-
temporary dance in their native cities. The Icelandic section
of the event, performed by the Icelandic Dance Company,
takes place at the Reykjavík City Theatre.
Iceland’s summer has quickly passed, and the fact that the days are
growing shorter means only one thing: autumn has arrived. Not to
worry, though, the city of Reykjavík still has plenty of cultural activi-
ties in store for the fall season.
The month of September kicks off with two remarkable events that
link the cultures. In “The Icelandic Sagas and The Westerns”, the
pioneer spirit and rugged individualism that both Icelanders and
Americans share is examined in a programme at The Reykjavík
Film Festival that explores the alliance between the Sagas and the
great Westerns which has helped to shape the mythology of both
countries.
In the second event, The Reykjavík Jazz Festival marks its tenth
anniversary this year, and the line-up features international jazz greats
such as The Dave Holland quintet, as well as many Icelandic musi-
cians. The hip grooves can be heard in bars and clubs throughout
Reykjavík until 10 September.
If you’re travelling to Iceland and you enjoy music, then October is
your month: a full slate of musical events are on the docket, including
an entire day hosted by the Reykjavík College of Music, which is cele-
brating its 70th anniversary. It’s not just chamber music anymore. The
final, and perhaps most spectacular, of the three programme series
devoted to Icelandic music in the 20th century, starts on the first of the
month and runs through to November. Aside from the typical perfor-
mances, innovative electronic and multimedia shows will take place.
Less than a week later, on 7 October, Bad Taste will host “A Day of
Poetry and Music” at the Icelandic Opera. The publishing company,
started by former members of the popular band the Sugar Cubes, has
always been at the forefront of progressive art, and this event will
demonstrate the interactive relationship between the two art forms.
For more information on the fall programme, log on to
www.reykjavik2000.is
Autumn Music
This fall promises to be an exciting season in Reykjavík’s
cultural year, with a plethora of musical events, not to
mention a Literary, Jazz, and Film, Festival, headlining the
calendar. Edward Weinman looks at the Reykjavík City of
Culture 2000 programme for September and October.
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